Proximal Femoral Nail(PFN) for Femur Intertrochanteric Fracture

Purpose : This prospective study was performed to evaluate the usefulness and the risk of the Proximal Femoral Nail(PFN) for internal fixation of the femur intertrochanteric fracture. Material and Method : We operated 26 consecutive intertrochanteric fracture patients with PFN from June 2000 to May 2001 and analysed the operation time, bleeding loss, union rate, union time, failure of fixation and complications. We also evaluated the clinical result with the recovery of ambulatory function and functional recovery score. R e s u l t : Mean operation time was 72 minutes and mean transfusion amount was 0.54 unit. 24 cases progressed to union until 4 months uneventfully and remaining 2 cases also progressed to union within 6months without further operation. There was no failure of fixation. Mean fracture site impaction was 4.4mm and among the 11 unstably reduced cases 3 showed overimpaction(> 10mm). Clinically mean loss of ambulation ability was 1.4 grade. Last follow Skovoron functional recovery score was 72.2. We removed laterally protruded hip pin and femur neck screws in two cases because of irritation on the lateral trochanteric area skin. But there was no significant complications such as intraoperative or postoperative fractures and femoral head cut out. Conclusion : The findings from this study indicate that, compared with other methods, PFN is useful and reliable choice for the femur intertrochanteric fracture treatment in the terms of less complications and equal or better results.