ObjectiveTo measure the rotation angle of the head-neck fragment of intertrochanteric fracture after cephalomedullary nail fixation by three-dimensional CT imaging, and to explore its clinical significance.MethodsThe clinical data of 68 patients with unstable intertrochanteric fracture of AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO-OTA) type 31-A2 treated with cephalomedullary nail fixation and with complete intraoperative fluoroscopy and postoperative three-dimensional CT imaging data between July 2016 and October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 21 males and 47 females, aged 68-93 years, with an average age of 81.8 years. There were 31 cases of AO/OTA type 31-A2.2 and 37 cases of 31-A2.3. Fracture reduction quality was evaluated according to Baumgaertner et al. and Chang et al. criteria. The anteromedial cortical contact or not of each patient was observed by three-dimensional CT imaging on T3DView software after operation. The rotation of head-neck fragments were divided into three types: non-rotation, flexion rotation, and hyperextension rotation. The rotation angles of each type were measured and the relationship between the rotation type of the head-neck fragments and the contact of the anteromedial cortex was analyzed.ResultsThe reduction and fixation of the small trochanter were not performed in 68 patients. According to Baumgaertner et al. criteria, the quality of fracture reduction was excellent in 15 cases (22.1%), acceptable in 50 cases (73.5%), and poor in 3 cases (4.4%). According to Chang et al. criteria, 31 cases were excellent (45.6%), 33 cases were acceptable (48.5%), and 4 cases were poor (5.9%). Thirty-nine cases (57.4%) received anteromedial cortical support and 29 cases (42.6%) did not receive cortical support. Three-dimensional CT imaging showed non-rotation in 12 cases (17.6%), flexion rotation in 39 cases (57.4%), and hyperextension rotation in 17 cases (25.0%). There were 7 cases (58.3%), 30 cases (76.9%), and 2 cases (11.8%) of cortical support in non-rotation group, flexion rotation group, and hyperextension rotation group, respectively. The rotation angles were (1.05±0.61), (13.96±6.17), (8.21±3.88)°, respectively. There were significant differences between groups (P<0.05).ConclusionIn the unstable intertrochanteric fracture after cephalomedullary nail fixation, the rotation of head-neck fragment exists in most patients, and the types of flexion rotation and non-rotation can easily obtain cortical support reduction.
Objective To summarize the morphological characteristics of sagittal beak-like deformity of head-neck fragment in femoral intertrochanteric fractures and to investigate the technical skills in fracture reduction. Methods A clinical data of 31 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures between May 2021 and April 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. The fractures had sagittal beak-like deformity of head-neck fragment in all patients. There were 13 males and 18 females, with an average age of 76.2 years (range, 68-83 years). The time from injury to operation was 36-76 hours (mean, 51.2 hours). Fractures were classified as type A1.2 in 10 cases, type A1.3 in 11 cases, type A2.2 in 6 cases, and type A2.3 in 4 cases according to the AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA)-2018 classification; and as type A1.3 in 10 cases, type A2.1 in 11 cases, type A2.2 in 6 cases, type A2.3 in 2 cases, and type A2.4 in 2 cases according to a novel comprehensive classification for femoral intertrochanteric fractures proposed by the “Elderly Hip Fracture” Research Group of the Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery Committee of the Chinese Rehabilitation Medical Association. Based on preoperative X-ray films, CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction, the fractures were classified into two types: type 1 (14 cases), with uncomplicated fracture morphology, severe bone interlocking and (or) soft tissue incarceration; type 2 (17 cases), with severe fracture crushing, obvious dissociation between bone blocks, and severe soft tissue hinge destruction. After the failure of the closed reduction, all patients underwent fracture reduction assisted with instrument via anterior minimal incision and proximal femoral nail antirotation nails internal fixation. The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy, intraoperative visible blood loss, length of hospital stay, and incidence of complications were recorded. The fracture reduction quality and stability score were assessed at immediate after operation under fluoroscopy. The fracture healing was evaluated and healing time was recorded by X-ray films. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was performed at 48 hours after operation and Parker-Palmer activity score at 3 months after operation for function evaluation. ResultsThe operation time was 39-58 minutes (mean, 46.3 minutes); fluoroscopy was performed 13-38 times (mean, 23.5 times) during operation; the intraoperative visible blood loss was 45-90 mL (mean, 65.3 mL). The fracture reduction quality and stability score were rated as good in 29 cases and acceptable in 2 cases. The pain VAS score was 2-6 (mean, 3.1) at 48 hours after operation. Eleven patients developed deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs after operation. Patients were hospitalized for 6-10 days (mean, 7.3 days). All patients were followed up 5-8 months (mean, 6.5 months). All fractures healed at 3.5-8.0 months after operation (mean, 4.5 months). Parker-Palmer activity score at 3 months after operation was 9 in 28 cases and 6 in 3 cases. Conclusion The femoral intertrochanteric fracture with sagittal beak-like deformity of head-neck fragment is difficult to manually reduce. The pin combined with cannulated screw insertion to the neck cortex can hold the fragment and assist fracture reduction, which is a simple and effective technique.