Results of the multicentric Italian experience on the Gamma nail: a report on 648 cases

• Published in: Orthopedics (Thorofare, N.J.) Vol. 14; no. 12; p. 1307
• Main Authors: Boriani, S, Bettelli, G, Zmerly, H, Specchia, L, Bungaro, P, Montanari, G, Capelli, A, Canella, P, Regnoli, R, Rispoli, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-12-1991
• Subjects: Aged; Bone Nails; Bone Screws; Female; Hip Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Hip Fractures - rehabilitation; Hip Fractures - surgery; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Prosthesis Failure; Radiography; Weight-Bearing
• ISSN: 0147-7447
• DOI: 10.3928/0147-7447-19911201-05

In a multicentric study, the data of 628 trochanteric fractures, two non-unions, and 18 pathologic or impending fractures treated by Gamma nail in 13 Italian traumatology services were collected and analyzed. In 70% of the patients weight bearing was allowed in the first postoperative week and 78% of the controlled patients returned to their pretrauma walking ability. Complications included intraoperative (1.4%) and postoperative (1.2%) shaft fractures, "cut out" of the lag screw (2.6%), and nail failure (0.5%). There were no cases of infection. An analysis of complications showed that most of them were due to technical mistakes. The safest procedure is 2 mm diaphyseal overreaming, introduction of the nail without hammering, and distal locking; the lag screw should be placed in the lower part of the head of the femur.