A comparative study between dynamic hip screw and intramedullary nail fixation in trochanteric fractures

Background: The trochanteric fractures are one of the commonest fractures in elderly population. Incidence of these fractures is increasing due to better life expectancy, growing number of population, industrialization and the road traffic accidents. Variety of implants are available but still there is no consensus for single implant. Methods: A prospective randomized control study was conducted on total 60 patients of intertrochanteric fractures which were randomized into 2 groups of 30 each, treated with dynamic hip screw (DHS) and proximal femoral nail (PFN). All the patients were followed up for a maximum of 6 months. Outcomes were reviewed and compared such as mode of injury, complications, functional and radiological outcomes. Results: There was no significant difference between two groups of patients as regards to mean age and sex. The mode of injury by slip and fall was main cause. The most common type of fracture as per AO-orthopaedic trauma association (OTA) classification was 31-A2 (65%) and 31-A3 (5%) being the least common type. Mean surgical time of DHS group and PFN group was 125.17 minutes and 89.93 minutes respectively. Mean blood loss in DHS group and PFN group was 251.67 ml and 158.67 ml respectively. Mean radiological union time of fracture in DHS group and PFN group was 12.3 and 9.5weeks respectively. Mean Harris hip score at six month in DHS group and PFN group was 80.77 and 85.47 respectively. Conclusions: We conclude that though both the implants can achieve comparable union rates but PFN are better than DHS as of better Harris hip score, shorter surgical time and less intra operative blood loss.