OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy between eccentric fixation and internal fixation for treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of femur,to provide a theoretical basis for the selection of the treatment method of the intertrochanteric fractures of femur.

METHODSFrom February 2007 to January 2010,82 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture were treated by internal fixation including 39 cases of eccentric fixation involving 23 males and 6 females, aged from 41 to 81 years old with an average of (62.68±10.69), using the DHS or proximal femoral locking plate; 43 cases of intramedullary fixation involving 15 males, 28 females,aged from 43 to 78 years old with an average of (62.60±8.37),using PFN or PFNA fixed. The surgical incision length, operative time, blood loss and postoperative Harris score between two groups were compared.

RESULTSThe wound of two groups were primary healing without operative complications. All cases received follow-up for an average time of 18.3 months (12 to 28 months). The incision length, operative time and blood loss had a statistically significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). Harris scores of hip joint function at 1 month after operation had statistically significant difference between two groups (P<0.05), and Harris scores at 12 months after operation had no statistical significance difference between two groups. The rate of excellent and good was 89.7% in eccentric fixation group and 90.7% in intramedullary fixation group,the difference was not statistically significant (t=0.0613, P>0.05). In eccentric fixation group, there was 1 case of fracture nonunion with DHS loose and ensuing hip varus deformity. In intramedullary nail fixation group, there was no anti-rotation out,distal intramedullary nail of femoral refracture occurred in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONTwo treatment methods for the treatment of femoral fractures had a good therapeutic effect,but the intramedullary fixation had shorter operative time and less blood loss than the eccentric fixation,it prior to apply to osteoporosis and unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures.