Analysis of Failures of Union of the Intertrochanteric Femoral Fractures

Kim, Sung Soo; Sohn, Sung Keun; Lee, Myung Jin; Kang, Min Soo; Kim, Sang Kook

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors influencing the failure of union in the intertrochanteric femoral fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Authors divided the patients treated with lag screws into two groups, 9 cases of the non-union group and 46 cases of the union group. And analyzed the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors influencing the union.
RESULTS
Age, displacement in AP film after surgery, displacement of lesser trochanter after surgery, superior or anterior position of lag screw, displacement of lag screw and change of neck-shaft angle were significantly higher in the non-union group. Displacement in AP radiograph after surgery and displacement of lag screw were two significant factors by multivariate logistic regression analysis.
CONCLUSION
In case of intertrochanteric fracture treated with lag screw, the probabilities of union failure are increased when the displacement is more than 5 mm in AP plane postoperatively and the sliding of lag screw is more than 10 mm in follow-up.