Effect of Unreduced Lesser Trochanteric Fracture on Stability in Intertrochanteric Fracture of Femur

Suh, Seung Woo; Park, Jeong Ho; Oh, Jong Kun; Nah, Kyung Wook; Kim, Tae Hyeon; Moon, Woo Nam

Abstract

Unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures are characterized by comminution of the posteromedial cortex, resulting in a fragment of variable size containing the lesser trochanter. Stability can be provided by transfixion of the lesser trochanteric fracture fragment with a screw. However, fixation of lesser trochanteric fragment is difficult, time-consuming, and often unsuccessful. Controversy exists as to whether it is necessary to perform reduction and fixation of this fragment. A radiological review of 61 intertrochanteric fractures treated with compression screw was made to study the effect of unreduced lesser trochanteric fracture on fracture healing and stability in unstable intertrochanteric fractures accompanied by lessor trochanteric fracture. Analysis were made on terms of rate of bone union, maintenance of reduction by comparing between anatomically reduced group with/without lesser trochanteric fracture and malreduced group with lesser trochanteric fracture. Anatomically reduced groups with/without lessel trochanteric fracture showed similar rates of bone union(88.3% in average) and degree of sliding of lag screw(3.74mm in average) regardless of fixation of lesser trochanter. On the other hand, unreduced group had 33.3% of bone union rates and 9.80mm of sliding of lag screw representing importance of anatomical reduction rather than fixation of lesser trochanteric fracture. In conclusion, it is suggested that unstable intertrochanteric fractures accompanied by large lesser trochanteric fracture fragment can be treated without fixation of lesser trochanteric fragment avoiding major complicatioins such as loosening of implant or collapse of fracture fragment.