OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical results of the proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) system in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures.

METHODSFrom September 2006 to September 2009, 90 patients (40 males and 50 females, ranged in age from 64 to 95 years with an average of 73.2 years with unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures were surgically treated with PFNA. Fifty patients had the fractures in the right hip, and 40 patients had the fractures in the left hip. The fractures were classified according to the AO classification: 11 patients were type A2.1, 21 patients were type A2.2,25 patients were type A2.3 9 patients were type A3.1,6 patients were A3.2 and 18 patients were A3.3. The patients underwent surgery within a mean of 3.2 days(ranged,2 to 20.1 days) from injury. The mean hospital stay was 12.8 days(ranged,7 to 24 days). Closed reduction was achieved in all the patients. Harris hip score were used for the evaluation of clinical effects.

RESULTSThe mean operation time was 36.8 min (ranged, 23 to 110 min) and the mean blood loss was 150 mi (ranged, 100 to 500 ml). The mean follow-up period was 12 months (ranged, 6 to 24 months). All the patients had fracture union. Sixty-nine patients got excellent reduction, 14 good and 7 bad. The mean collodiaphysial angle was 135.60 (ranged, 1260 to 1470). Postoperative complications included secondary varus in 2 patients,calcification at the tip of the greater trochanter in 5 patients, medial thigh pain in 7 patients,and screw cut-out in 1 petient. Ten patients had femoral shortness (mean 9.3 mm,ranging from 8 to 14 mm). The mean Harris hip score was (80.5 +/- 9.8). According to Harris hip scores evaluation system, 26 patients reached an excellent result, 37 good, 18 poor and 9 bad.

CONCLUSIONDue to advantages of high union rate, short operation time, and early postoperative mobilization, PFNA osteosynthesis is an idea method for surgical treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures.