To compare failure rates between short and long cephalomedullary nails used for the treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures in patients over 65 years of age.
Design: Retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from medical records and radiographs.
Setting: Three level 1 trauma centers.
Patients: Patients aged 65 years or older who underwent treatment of an intertrochanteric hip fracture with a cephalomedullary nail between January 2004 and December 2010.
Intervention: Open reduction and internal fixation of intertrochanteric hip fracture with either short or long cephalomedullary nail.
Main Outcome Measures: Postoperative treatment failure rate, defined as periprosthetic fracture or reoperation requiring removal or revision of nail, including conversion to arthroplasty.
When using contemporary cephalomedullary implants, short and long nails exhibit similar treatment failure rates.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level III. Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
To compare failure rates between short and long cephalomedullary nails used for the treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures in patients over 65 years of age.
Design: Retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from medical records and radiographs.
Setting: Three level 1 trauma centers.
Patients: Patients aged 65 years or older who underwent treatment of an intertrochanteric hip fracture with a cephalomedullary nail between January 2004 and December 2010.
Intervention: Open reduction and internal fixation of intertrochanteric hip fracture with either short or long cephalomedullary nail.
Main Outcome Measures: Postoperative treatment failure rate, defined as periprosthetic fracture or reoperation requiring removal or revision of nail, including conversion to arthroplasty.
When using contemporary cephalomedullary implants, short and long nails exhibit similar treatment failure rates.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level III. Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.