Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Lesser trochanter (LT) fixation to restore the continuity of the posteromedial fragment using a cerclage wire has been reported to provide a more stable reduction in the treatment of unstable femoral neck fractures with LT involvement. However, LT fixation is not commonly performed due to the complications associated with the traditional monofilament cerclage metal wires. In this study, we investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of a new technique for LT fixation in conjunction with Intramedullary (IM) fixation with nail and screws when compared to isolated IM fixation. The Sling Fixation Technique involves a new wiring technique and the use of a polymer-based cerclage cable characterized by iso-elastic properties that is hypothesized to provide better clinical and radiographic outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study included 30 patients who underwent proximal IM nailing from July 2019 to April 2020. Thirty consecutive patients (30) were assigned to 2 different treatment groups. Fifteen (15) patients were treated with the IM Nailing and Sling Fixation Technique and 15 with IM nailing only. Patients were comparable for demographic features, fracture pattern, age, gender and associated medical comorbidities. Clinical outcomes were analyzed in terms of time needed to achieve complete weight bearing, Harris hip score (HHS), Barthel Index (BI) and Radiographic Union Scale for Hip (RUSH). The follow-up period was one year. RESULTS: Time for fracture healing and to achieve weight-bearing in the "Sling" group were shown to be significantly shorter than in the IM group. The Sling group showed furthermore better HHS, BI and RUSH scores when compared to the IM group at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months from the surgery. No complications such as wiring breakage, cut-outs, breakage or pullout of the fixation screws were observed; one case of heterotrophic ossification was reported. CONCLUSION: In cases of unstable intertrochanteric fractures of the proximal femur with lesser trochanter involvement, the Sling fixation technique using an isoelastic polymer-based wire showed superior results in terms of stability and consequently better clinical and radiographic outcomes than IM nailing only.