[Results of management of pertrochanteric comminuted fractures in the elderly with a tumor shaft endoprostheses].

Pertrochanteric fractures are typical injuries of elderly people, that can be treated with osteosynthesis in most cases. From 1984 to 1991 we performed 105 implantations of tumor-endoprosthesis in elderly patients with comminuted pertrochanteric fractures with simultaneous coxarthrosis or osteoporosis. The mean age of these patients was 82.7 years. 81.9% of the patients had concomitant systemic diseases (coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes etc.), 51.4% showed several risk factors. General postoperative complications were diagnosed in 63.8% of all cases, mostly nosocomial urinary tract infections, pressure sores and cardiovascular disorders. In 14.3% of the patients local (surgical) complications occurred. 83.3% of the patients were able to walk when they left the hospital, the in-hospital mortality was 13.3% (30-day-mortality 12.4%). Although primary osteosynthesis of pertrochanteric fractures with dynamic hip screw or gamma-nail show a smaller risk, implantation of a tumor-endoprosthesis can be an alternative in patients with severe osteoporosis, coxarthrosis or after instable osteosynthesis.