Comparison of two different proximal femoral nails in instabil intertrochanteric fractures concerning radiological parameters.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare two different nail types (i.e., Intertan (IT) and Talon Distal Fix Nail / Lag Screw (TDFN)) used in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in mobile patients over 65 years of age in terms of radiological parameters.

Methods: Between June 2013 and August 2018, 106 patients over 65 years old who were operated with closed reduction and internal fixation for intertrochanteric fractures were included in this single-center study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the proximal femoral nail used: IT group and TDFN group. These two groups were compared in terms of age, sex, complication rates and radiological parameters (i.e., reduction quality, tip apex distance (TAD), Parker index, union time, cut-out rate, and varus collapse).

Results: There were no differences between the groups in terms of age, sex, fracture union time as well as reduction quality measured on the first postoperative radiograph, Parker index, and collodiaphysial angle. In the first postoperative radiographs, TAD was higher than 25 mm in 12 patients in the IT group and in 5 patients in the TDFN group. Although the number of patients with high TAD was more than that of the IT group, varus collapse and the cut-out complications were higher in TDFN nail. In the IT group, nail-dependent complications emerged in 4 patients (trochanter major fracture in 3 cases, femoral fracture in distal screw in 1 case) while there was no complication in the TDFN group.

Conclusion: Intertan nail is superior to TDFN in preventing varus collapse and the cut-out complications as well as in maintaining of radiological parameters until fracture union. On the other hand, the higher complication rate is a disadvantage of this nail.