• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2020

A gamma nail has been used to treat intertrochanteric fractures since 1988. Although such cephalomedullary nails have mechanical advantages over extramedullary fixation devices, such as sliding hip screw, their beneficial effects on treating the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) 31-A1 and 31-A2 fractures are still controversial. During their 30-year history, many problems have been overcome, and new types of cephalomedullary nails have been introduced in clinical practice. New cephalomedullary nail systems facilitate nailing procedures and enhance the purchase capability of the femoral head by a lag screw. On the other hand, the failure rate still depends on the hands of the orthopedic surgeons. This review article focused on the basic principle of medial support and restoration of a medial buttress during the treatment of trochanteric fractures using a cephalomedullary nail.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2018

Ipsilateral fractures of proximal femur with shaft and condylar region are very rare. Current concept of management is based on fixation of each fracture as independent entity using separate fixation modalities for proximal and distal parts of femur. However, we considered that antegrade femoral nailing with cephalomedullary screw fixation is a good option for ipsilateral multi-level femoral fractures. Here, we present an experience of satisfactory treatment for ipsilateral femoral neck fracture, subtrochanteric fracture, comminuted shaft fracture with supracondylar fracture following road traffic accident.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2023

Purpose: Cephalomedullary (CM) nailing is widely performed in treatment of elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures. However, in cases of fixation failure, re-operation is usually necessary, thus determining factors that may contribute to fixation failure is important. In this study, we examined factors affecting the occurrence of fixation failure, such as age or fracture stability, after CM nailing in elderly patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively using registered data. From April 2011 to December 2018, CM nailing was performed in 378 cases diagnosed with femoral intertrochanteric fractures, and 201 cases were finally registered. Cases involving patients who were bed-ridden before injury, who died from causes unrelated to surgery, and those with a follow-up period less than six months were excluded. Results: Fixation failure occurred in eight cases. Comparison of the surgical success and fixation failure group showed that the mean age was significantly higher in the fixation failure group compared with the control group (81.3±6.4 vs. 86.4±6.8; P=0.034). A significantly high proportion of unstable fractures was also observed (139/54 vs. 3/5; P=0.040), with a significantly high ratio of intramedullary reduction (176/17 vs. 5/3; P=0.034). A significantly higher ratio of unstable fractures compared with that of stable fractures was observed in the intramedullary reduction group (132/49 vs. 10/10; P=0.033). Conclusion: Fixation failure of CM nailing is likely to occur in patients who are elderly or have unstable fracture patterns. Thus, care should be taken in order to avoid intramedullary reduction.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to compare patients in whom fixation failure occurred via cut-out (CO) or cut-through (CT) in order to determine patient factors and radiographic parameters that may be predictive of each mechanism. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study includes 18 patients with intertrochanteric (IT) hip fractures (AO/OTA classification 31A1.3) who underwent treatment using a single lag screw design intramedullary nail in whom fixation failure occurred within one year. All patients were reviewed for demographics and radiographic parameters including tip-to-apex distance (TAD), posteromedial calcar continuity, neck-shaft angle, lateral wall thickness, and others. Patients were grouped into cohorts based on the mechanism of failure, either lag screw CO or CT, and a comparison was performed. Results: No differences in demographics, injury details, fracture classifications, or radiographic parameters were observed between CO/CT cohorts. Of note, a similar rate of post-reduction TAD>25 mm (P=0.936) was observed between groups. A higher rate of DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) confirmed osteoporosis (25.0% vs. 60.0%) was observed in the CT group, but without significance. Conclusion: The mechanism of CT failure during intramedullary nail fixation of an IT fracture did not show an association with clinical data including patient demographics, reduction accuracy, or radiographic parameters. As reported in previous biomechanical studies, the main predictive factor for patients in whom early failure might occur via the CT effect mechanism may be related to bone quality; however, conduct of larger studies will be required in order to determine whether there is a difference in bone quality.