Subtrochanteric fractures following osteosynthesis of femoral neck fractures with the VLC-femoral system.

Twenty-two patients with femoral neck fracture were treated with the VLC (Variable Length Cannulated)-femoral screw system. In four patients, the osteosynthesis had complications with ipsilateral subtrochanteric femoral fractures in relation to the screw holes in the lateral cortex. The problem seemed to be excessive stress on the lateral cortex during insertion of the screws. The method has been abandoned in our department.