Prospective Study of Closed Reduction of Trochanteric Fractures via a Novel Intraoperative Femoral Fracture Reduction Device: Early Clinical Results.

Objective: Traction achieved using an intraoperative femoral fracture reduction device (IFFRD) was compared with that observed using a traction table (TT) for closed reduction of trochanteric fractures and cephalomedullary nail fixation.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Level 1 trauma center.

Patients: One hundred forty-one eligible patients with 141 fractures (Orthopaedic Trauma Association type 31-A1, n = 28; A2, n = 75; and A3, n = 38 cases) were randomized to the IFFRD (n = 73) or TT (n = 68) group.

Intervention: The IFFRD was used while the patient was placed on a normal radiolucent operation table with 25-30 degrees elevation of the injured side to allow for antero-posterior and lateral fluoroscopic examination and facilitate entry-point guide wire insertion.

Main Outcome Measures: Patient demographics, operative and fluoroscopy duration, quality of fracture reduction, and radiological bone union time were recorded.

Results: Patient demographics were similar between groups. Duration of patient positioning was longer in the TT group (P < 0.05); duration of fluoroscopy, fracture reduction, and time to union were comparable.

Conclusions: An IFFRD used with a normal radiolucent operation table decreased patient positioning time, with efficacy comparable to the TT approach for closed reduction of trochanteric fractures.

Level Of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.