Long PFN nailing in comminuted high subtrochanteric fractures femur in lateral position on ordinary table

• Author Details:   
• Shashikant B. Ganjale ^*

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Introduction: Most of the hip fractures are managed in supine position on a fracture table with foot attached to foot plates and biplanar fluoroscopy supervision under c-arm. But this procedure has its own difficulties in managing especially comminuted subtrochanteric fractures, where in different fragments and segments are being pulled by strong muscles around hip, and getting good reduction and alignment is difficult due to displaced bony fragments being held in traction on fracture table and cannot be manipulated easily. This leads to prolonged operative time, opening of fracture site, increased bleeding, increased chances of infection and over all increased anaesthesia time adding up to risk factors. The purpose of this study was to report how these difficulties can be overcome by operating on a simple radioluscent top operating table in lateral position without a fracture table.
Materials and Methods: 74 cases of subtrochanteric fractures with or without comminution were operated in lateral position on simple ordinary radioluscent top table with lesser attachments and adjustments to operating table during the study duration were included in the study. We used long Proximal Femur Nail (PFN) (length more than 25cms 34, 36, 38, 40cms long) to fix these fractures.
Results: In the present study, age group of patients was 25yrs to 74yrs. Male patients (83.7%) were more than female patients (16.3%) An average of less than 150 ml in closed surgery. The average operative time for all cases was 80 minutes. Union time varied from 16 weeks in simple fractures to 26 weeks in comminuted fractures. Clinical function of hip and knee was excellent with full range of movements.
Conclusions: Reduction and fixation of proximal femoral fractures in the lateral position with fluoroscopy or portable radiography in the anteroposterior view for small set ups and rural hospitals that lack a fracture table or advanced fluoroscopic devices may be executable and probably safe.

Keywords: Long PFN, Subtrochanteric fracture, Lateral position, Ordinary operating table.