OBJECTIVETo analyze the gender, age, fracture classification and variation trend of adult intertrochanteric fractures treated in a single-center hospital in ten years.

METHODSThe data of adult (age ≥ 16 years) intertrochanteric fractures admitted to the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2003 to December 2012 were collected retrospectively. All the fractures were acute and the pathological or periprosthetic fractures were excluded. The radiography of fracture were classified by same experienced orthopedic resident and verified by two orthopedic deans and one radiologist. The gender, age and fracture classification were analyzed and compared between January 2003 to December 2007 and January 2008 to December 2012.

RESULTSA total of 3 201 cases were collected. The adult intertrochanteric fractures accounted for 2.97% of all adult fractures and 43.76% of adult proximal femoral fractures. Of all fractures 64.98% were elderly ( ≥ 60 years) and 35.02% were middle-aged (16-59 years). In elderly, female were common (57.78%) while in middle-aged were male commonly (79.13%). According to Evans classification, instable fractures were more common (68.92%). According to AO classification, the most common type was A2 (49.67%) and the least was A3 (15.93%). Comparing between January 2003 to December 2012 and January 2008 to December 2012, the proportion of intertrochanteric fracture of adult fracture was decreased by 0.31% (χ² = 9.29, P = 0.002)and the proportion of intertrochanteric fracture of adult proximal femoral fractures was decreased by 3.15% (χ² = 7.35, P = 0.007). The proportion of elderly patients, female and stable fractures was increased by 14.35% (χ² = 71.98, P < 0.01), 4.04% (χ² = 8.16, P = 0.004) and 5.62% (χ² = 11.7, P = 0.001), respectively. The proportion of AO classification was not significantly verified (χ² = 3.24, P = 0.198).

CONCLUSIONSThe intertrochanteric fractures are most common in elderly patients, A2-type of AO Classification and stable (Evans III, IV, V) in Evans classification. Compared with the previous five years, the proportions of female, elderly and stable (Evans I, II) fracture increase in last 5 years.