OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of minimal invasion and closed reduction with external fixation in treating elderly femoral intertrochanteric fracture.

METHODSFrom August 2007 and September 2013, 43 patients with elderly femoral intertrochanteric fracture were treated by minimal invasion and closed reduction with external fixation. There were 26 males and 17 females with an average age of 78 years old ranging from 68 to 92 years. Durations from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 8 days with an average of 3 days. According to AO classification, there were 22 cases with type A1, 15 with type A2, 6 with type A3. The time of bone healing were observed after operation and the clinical effects were evaluated by Harris scoring standard.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 10 to 18 months with an average of 13 months. The incisions obtained one-stage healing after removal of external fixation. All the fractures were healed and the mean healing time was 16 weeks (ranged, 12 to 18 weeks). Two patiens complicated with the thread needle loosening in the femoral trochanteric, 2 cases with the hip varus deformity and 1 case with the delayed union. No bone nonunion, external fixer breakage, blood vessel or nerve damage were found. According to the Harris scoring standard,the average Harris score of hip joint function was 85.89±7.36, and 18 cases got excellent results, 19 good.

CONCLUSIONMinimal invasion and closed reduction with external fixation can obtain satisfactory results in treating elderly femoral intertrochanteric fractures. It is a simple and effective method for elderly patients who cannot tolerate anesthesia and surgery trauma.