OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of locking plates in the treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures.

METHODSFrom February 2006 to December 2008,108 patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures treated with locking plate and DHS were retrospective analyzed. Fifty-one patients were treated with locking plates, including 23 males and 28 females, aged 45 to 86 years old (averaged 66.0 years old); and fifty-seven patients were treated with DHS, including 26 males and 31 females,aged 43 to 81 years old (averaged 64.1 years old). The outcome measures collected for statistical analysis on the following aspects: operative time, blood loss, drainage, healing time, complications and Harris scores.

RESULTSOne hundred and eight patients were followed up ranging from 8 to 24 months (averaged 12.5 months). In locking plate group, the operative time was (87 +/- 14) minutes; blood loss was (367 +/- 213) ml; drainage was (63 +/- 14) ml; healing time was (11.9 +/- 3.4) weeks; 7 patients had complications; and the Harriss score was (85 +/- 6). While in DHS group, the operative time was (115 +/- 23) minutes; blood loss was (582 +/- 243) ml; drainage was (98 +/- 16) ml; healing time was (12.4 +/- 2.5) weeks; 9 patients had complications; and the Harriss score was (84 +/- 8). There were no significant differences in the healing time, complications and Harris scores between two groups (P > 0.05),but there were significant differences in the operative time,blood loss, drainage between two groups (P < 0.05). Comparing with DHS group, the locking plate group was of shorter operative time, fewer blood loss and drainage.

CONCLUSIONProximal femoral locking plate is simple, minimally invasive,stable fixation with fewer complications, and is an effective method for intertrochanteric hip fractures.