Outcomes of the proximal femur fractures repaired with half-pin devices as compared with various types of osteosynthesis

Objective To review outcomes of the proximal femur fractures repaired with half-pin apparatus in comparison with various types of osteosynthesis. Material and methods The study enrolled 86 patients with proximal femur fractures treated at the general hospital of the Tashkent Medical Academy. Of these, 52 were females and 34 were males. The mean age of the participants was 54.1 ± 1.1 years (range, 22 to 92 years). The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated depending on the treatment method used. The patients were divided into 3 groups: group I included 39 patients who underwent closed percutaneous osteosynthesis with Ilizarov wires; group II consisted of 29 patients who underwent osteosynthesis with bone plates; group III included 18 patients who underwent surgical treatment using the external half-pin fixator we developed. Results Outcomes were evaluated in 58 patients at one to two years. In group I, good results were rated as good obtained in 45.8% (n = 11), as fair in 33.3% (n = 8) and poor in 20.9 % (n = 5) of patients due to nonunited fracture, avascular necrosis of the femoral head and hip joint ankylosis. Group II showed 68.4 % (n = 12) good, 4 (21 % (n = 4) fair and 10.5 % (n = 2) poor results. The latter occurred due to patient noncompliance and unauthorized early removal of the plaster cast. Group III demonstrated 73.4 % (n = 11) good, 13.3% (n = 2) fair and 13.3 % (n = 2) poor outcomes. Patients with poor outcomes developed lesion of the femoral neck following a subcapital femoral neck fracture at 2 months of frame removal that healed with a 2.0 cm limb length discrepancy. Conclusion The external half-pin fixator offered could facilitate stable bone fixation after reduction and gradual dynamic compression for successful bone healing. The bone fixation period with external half-pin fixation device was dependent on the fracture type and averaged to 4 ± 1 months in type A fracture and 5 ± 1 months in type B fractures. Fixation of the proximal femur fractures with half-pin fixation device allows stabilization of the general state of patients, easier postoperative care, prevention of secondary complications and early exercises for the adjacent joints. The technique offered can be a method of choice among the current technologies.