Analysis of the Influence of Osteosynthesis Technique and Patient-specific Factors on the Outcome of Subtrochanteric Fracture Treatment

1. INTRODUCTION

Subtrochanteric femoral fractures are increasing in number and thus becoming more and more relevant for trauma surgeons [1]. They account for 8 to 15% of all proximal femoral fractures [2, 3]. The mortality rate of patients with this type of fracture is between 5 and 15% [4, 5]. Studies show, however, a clear difference between the mortality rate in hospitals (4 to 6%) and one-year mortality (up to 30%) [3, 6]. The subtrochanteric region refers to the area between the lesser trochanter and a point 5 cm distal [7]. If trauma occurs, this region is subject to a level of mechanical stress that is unmatched in other regions of the human body [8]. This leads to a thick cortical layer, and fractures are often comminuted [8]. In addition, fractures in this region are comparatively slow to heal [8, 9]. The medullary cavity in the intertrochanteric region is relatively wide, which makes it more difficult to stably fixate an intramedullary nail than further distal [7]. Another problem is that many strong muscles are attached to the proximal femur around the hip joint. As a result, typical signs of a fracture are external rotation, shortening, and adduction of the affected leg [2, 10]. This is why subtrochanteric fractures pose biomechanical challenges to every kind of implant. The various muscles around the proximal femur pull in opposite directions in the subtrochanteric region, which promotes pseudoarthrosis [11]. In the literature, pseudoarthrosis rates range from 2 to 20% depending on reduction and cerclage wire use [12, 13].

Various classification methods for subtrochanteric fractures are described in the literature, but only a few, however, have proved to be useful for determining surgical technique or for predicting surgical outcomes [14]. The following classifications are currently well established: the Seinsheimer classification [15], the AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen; AO-Foundation) classification [16], and the Russell-Taylor classification [17]. The latter can be used to make decisions about surgical technique [7, 9]. No classification was able to predict the outcome of treatment [18, 19]. In the majority of cases, surgical treatment of the fracture is the primary treatment option. Conservative treatment is only performed in selected cases [2]. The objective of surgery is to reconstruct the length and the anatomical alignment of the limbs concerned [20]. The chosen treatment method should facilitate early mobilisation, particularly for elderly patients [20]. Either intramedullary implants are used, which are inserted in a minimally invasive approach after closed reduction, or an open procedure is performed with plate fixation after successful reduction [21]. The duration of surgery varies considerably depending on the technique used [4, 22]. Experienced surgeons can implant intramedullary devices much faster than extramedullary devices [4, 20]. Femoral nails are especially suitable for the treatment of fractures because they can be inserted in a minimally invasive approach. They also help restore biomechanical stability, and they accelerate postoperative mobilisation [4, 7, 11]. These advantages are important especially for complex fractures involving the trochanter region [7]. Extramedullary devices include the 95-degree angled blade plate, the 95-degree dynamic condylar screw (DCS), the dynamic hip screw (DHS), and systems providing angular stability such as the locking compression plate (LCP) [11]. The frequency in the use of these devices varies greatly. Further advantages of these plates are that it is not necessary to create a bone defect in order to achieve the optimal bone position and that good fixation of the proximal fragment can be ensured [7]. Unfavourable mechanical properties and difficult positioning by the surgeon after the reduction, however, limit the number of cases in which plates can be used [11]. In clinical settings, plates are used for revision surgery and to treat pseudoarthrosis [11].

In the literature, frequency and clinical application vary considerably on account of different postoperative results [23-25]. Similar to the 95-degree angled blade plate/condylar plate, revision surgery outcomes are reported to be satisfactory [26]. Although complication rates have decreased in recent years due to constant improvements in technique and the materials used, adverse events occur in up to a quarter of patients [27]. The aim of this study was to find out whether intramedullary or extramedullary systems have advantages in terms of outcome (mobilisation, complications) and cost-effectiveness (duration of surgery and hospital stay).

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.2. Surgical Techniques

Intramedullary technique: After fracture reduction on the fracture table, an 8 cm long skin incision is made proximal to the greater trochanter and the iliotibial tract is split. A guide wire is inserted with an aiming device, the proximal femur is drilled, and a suitable intramedullary nail is introduced (Gamma3 trochanteric nail, Gamma3 long nail, both produced by Stryker GmbH & Co. KG, Kiel, Germany). Image intensification is used to confirm that the nail is well positioned in both planes. A hip screw and a distal locking screw are inserted through a stab incision using the aiming device and fluoroscopic guidance. If necessary, a drain is inserted, followed by wound closure. An example of the intramedullary technique in case of subtrochanteric fracture (Russel-Taylor Type 2 B) is shown in Fig. (1).

Extramedullary technique: It is used for complex subtrochanteric fractures. A ventral antirotation plate is used to fulfil the special biomechanical requirements of the subtrochanteric region and to counteract the pull of the attached muscles.

Surgery is conducted with the patient positioned supine on a fracture table. Following lateral access to the left proximal femur, an L-shaped incision is made in the vastus lateralis at the greater trochanter. The proximal femur and the fracture region are exposed without retracting the periosteum. If required, the fracture line between the greater trochanter and the neck fragment is closed. The fracture is then reduced. The next step is to introduce the guide wire for the DCS (Dynamic Compression Screw) load-bearing screw (titanium DCS, produced by DePuy Synthes, Umkirch, Germany) using an aiming device under fluoroscopic guidance. Measuring, drilling and thread cutting are followed by the insertion of a load-bearing screw. The plate is then definitively repositioned. After the position of the plate is checked, the holes are predrilled and the depth of the holes is measured. Bicortical screws are then inserted. Ideally, fragments at the lesser trochanter are repositioned in the dorsomedial direction and fixed with screws. With regard to the subtrochanteric morphology of the fracture and in anticipation of the special biomechanical properties, a narrow LCDC (Limited Contact Dynamic compression) titanium plate (DePuy Synthes, Umkirch, Germany) is attached ventrally at a 90-degree angle to the DCS under fluoroscopic guidance. A deep Redon drain is inserted to determine whether bleeding has stopped. The vastus lateralis is reattached to the trochanter by a pulley suture. This is followed by wound closure. An example of the extramedullary technique in case of subtrochanteric fracture (Russell-Taylor Type 2 B) is shown in Fig. (2).

3. RESULTS

4. DISCUSSION

The findings of this study show that the surgical technique can have far-reaching consequences for patient outcomes. The objective of surgery is to reconstruct the length and the alignment of the limbs concerned. Surgery should also make early mobilisation possible, particularly when it comes to elderly patients [20]. Our study showed faster postoperative weight bearing with intramedullary than with extramedullary surgery. Intramedullary osteosynthesis techniques provide a high degree of stability, making immediate full weight bearing sometimes possible. This improves patient mobilisation and prevents muscle loss. It also considerably reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis in the legs [11, 8]. In addition, our findings showed a significantly shorter duration of surgery when the intramedullary technique was used, which is particularly important when it comes to elderly patients with a high anaesthetic risk.

Important differences, e.g., increased blood loss, longer duration of surgery, longer duration of radiation exposure and longer hospital stay, were found, including that intramedullary systems were superior to extramedullary systems [4, 20]. The costs of extramedullary implants are currently lower than those of intramedullary systems. But longer surgical times, however, reduce this economic advantage. If longer hospital stays on account of the extramedullary technique are also taken into account, the advantage of less expensive implants is reduced even more. With regard to the length of hospital stay, our study also found significantly shorter stays for patients with IO, as reported by other authors, too [20]. But interestingly, we found that the length of hospital stay decreases with increasing patient age. However, elderly patients frequently came from care facilities and, in uncomplicated cases, were discharged early and transferred back to such facilities. On the other hand, patients who were discharged home had to be mobile and fit enough to cope with daily life and required more time in the hospital unless they were transferred directly to a rehabilitation facility.

We found that common complications not requiring revision surgery, e.g., anaemia or renal failure, occurred more often in the intramedullary group than in the extramedullary group. The frequency of complications requiring revision surgery, e.g., dislocation or fracture of the implant, was higher in the extramedullary group. Although the complication rate has decreased considerably in recent years due to improvements in techniques and materials used, studies have shown that up to a quarter of patients experience complications [27]. Complication rates are extremely variable due to the wide range of subtrochanteric fractures and the fact that recommendations concerning osteosynthetic procedures are different. Other authors described above all delayed fracture healing, pseudoarthroses, malalignment (medialisation), implant failure, haematoma, infections, and the development of chronic pain and restricted mobility [7, 9]. It also indicates an increased occurrence of complications after extramedullary osteosynthesis [4, 28]. Complication rates in cases of shaft fractures such as implant failure/insufficient reduction and wound infections were 1.48% for nailing and 3.1% for plating [4]. By contrast, a meta-analysis conducted by Liu et al. in 2015 found no statistically significant differences in postoperative complications between IO and EO [29]. That study and our study show that elderly patients, in particular, can benefit from the intramedullary technique on account of lower revision surgery rates, reduced implant failure, and fewer fracture healing problems [30]. Treatment decisions will ultimately be influenced by osteoporosis. Due to the retrospective design, it was not possible to ask all involved surgeons why deciding for intra- or extramedullary osteosynthesis, what is a limitation in this study as the fact, that EO was performed only in one of the two study centres. As both techniques, intra- and extramedullary, appear to have their justifications, sufficient and stable bone for fixing each type of implant will be decisive for successful healing.

Retrospective design and the small number of plate osteosynthesis were limitations in this study as well as the unequal distribution of severity of fractures in the groups. All extramedullary procedures were performed in cases where fractures were classified as Russel-Taylor 2B (N=21), while intramedullary fixation was performed in 8 cases of 1A, 27 cases of 1B, one case of 2A and 20 cases of 2B. For this reason, separate regression analysis for Russel-Taylor 2B fractures was performed to have more reliable results.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, intramedullary osteosynthesis offers numerous advantages in the treatment of subtrochanteric femoral fractures. These include shorter duration of surgery, lower revision surgery rates, shorter hospital stays, and earlier mobilisation. Nevertheless, there are indications for extramedullary techniques, particularly when the loss of bone substance must be avoided and open reduction is necessary. The surgeon´s experience and patient´s age were identified as important factors that influence treatment outcomes. Although implants for IO are more expensive than implants for EO, the duration of surgery and hospital stay as well as the number of revisions, might lead to the conclusion that IO has economic advantages compared to EO. The findings of this study must be evaluated in light of its limitations and are a starting point for prospective studies.

REFERENCES