Open AccessSafety and reliability of external fixation for basicervical and intertrochanteric fractures in high-risk elderly patients
Author(s) -
George W. Boghdady,
Mohamed Shalaby
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
strategies in trauma and limb reconstruction/strategies in trauma and limb reconstruction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 24
eISSN - 1828-8936
pISSN - 1828-8928
DOI - 10.1007/s11751-007-0025-5
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , external fixation , orthopedic surgery , internal fixation , fixation (population genetics) , external fixator , bone healing , population , environmental health
Forty elderly patients with basicervical and pertrochanteric fractures were managed with uniplanar AO external fixator under regional anaesthetic block of the femoral nerve and lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh from April 2003 to March 2006. The mean age of the patients was 67.9 +/- 5.5 years. External fixator application was performed under radiological control after closed reduction had been obtained. Comorbid factors, duration of surgery, duration of hospitalisation, complications, walking ability, time to union and mortality rate were recorded. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 12 +/- 4.5 months. Superficial pin tract infection occurred in 13 patients, healing in varus >10 degrees and with shortening >2 cm occurred in six patients, and one patient suffered a spontaneous ipsilateral femoral neck fracture after removal of the fixator. The mean time for union was 10.4 +/- 1.2 weeks. Rapid union rate and minor complications obtained in the present study are comparable to those obtained with standard internal fixation techniques. Minimal intraoperative blood loss, short operative time and early patient mobilisation are advantages signifying uniplanar external fixator application under regional anaesthetic block to be a viable option in treatment of basicervical and pertrochanteric fractures in high-risk elderly patients.