J Korean Fract Soc.  2021 Apr;34(2):57-63. 10.12671/jkfs.2021.34.2.57.

Comparison of the U-Blade Gamma3 Nail and the Zimmer Natural Nail for the Treatment of Intertrochanteric Fracture

• Suh JS
• Ryu HG
• Roh YJ
• Shin DW
• Kim SM

• KMID: 2515145
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2021.34.2.57

Abstract

Purpose
This study was performed to compare the clinical results and radiological follow-up differences between intertrochanteric fractures treated with the U-blade Gamma3 nail or the Zimmer natural nail (ZNN).
Materials and Methods
The medical records of 129 cases diagnosed with an intertrochanteric frac-ture (90 cases of U-blade Gamma3 nail, 39 cases of ZNN) from July 2015 to December 2018 were reviewed. Patients were assigned to a U-blade Gamma3 nail (n=39) or a ZNN (n=39) group. To reduce selective bias, groups were subjected to Propensity score matching by age, body mass index, bone mineral density, and fracture type. Patients that met the following criteria were excluded; age <65 years, non-ambulatory, high energy or pathologic fracture, and a follow-up of <6 months. Operation times, estimated blood losses, preoperative and postoperative Koval grades, Harris hip score and radiological lag screw positions in the femoral head, reduction quality, cut-out, tip-apex distance (TAD), lag screw sliding distances, and times to union were compared.
Results
Clinical results were similar in the two groups, but lag screw TAD was significantly greater in Ublade Gamma3 nail group (23.4 mm vs. 21.0 mm) (p=0.042). One case of cut-out occurred in the Ublade Gamma3 nail group, but no other nail-related postoperative complication was noted.
Conclusion
No significant difference was observed between the outcomes of U-blade Gamma3 nail or ZNN treatments of intertrochanteric fractures. We conclude that the U-blade confers no specific advan-tage.

Keyword

Femur; Intertrochanteric fractures; U-blade Gamma3 nail; Zimmer natural nail