Introduction. Intramedullary nail is an important component of modern
treatment of pertrochanteric femur fractures. Objective. In elderly
population, pertrochanteric fractures treated with unreamed intramedullary
nails cause less deep infections when compared to reamed intramedullary
nails. Patients and Methods. From April, 2010 to May, 2012 at the Department
of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Gaetano Rummo Hospital (Benevento, Italy),
156 patients with pertrochanteric fracture, average age 82.7 years (75-102
years), were treated. In the analyzed case, there were 90 females and 66
males with pertrochanteric fractures. The respondents were divided into two
groups. The first group consisted of 78 respondents who were treated with
reamed intramedullary nails and the second group of 78 respondents treated
with unreamed intramedullary nails. Discussion. Infections are not the most
common postoperative complications. The risk of infection is increased in
patients with comorbidity and in cases when there is an empty space between
the intramedullary nail fixation and bone. Proximal femoral fractures carry a
high mortality, but its causes are unclear. Conclusion. Our research has
shown that the application of unreamed intramedullary nails in the treatment
of pertrochanteric femoral fractures reduces a mortality risk and risk of
infection.
Intramedullary Nail Breakage and Mechanical Displacement in Patients with Proximal Femoral Fractures: A Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Claims Database Analysis