Intramedullary nailing for pathological femoral fractures.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the operating time correlates with the survival and outcome in patients who underwent intramedullary nailing for metastatic femoral fractures.

METHODS

Records of 10 men and 11 women aged 43 to 86 (mean, 66) years who underwent intramedullary nailing (4 bilaterally) for metastatic femoral fractures between 1999 and 2003 were reviewed. The patients were followed up for at least 2 years or until their death. The main outcome measure was the correlation between operating time and survival. Operating time was categorised into 5 groups from 60 to 210 minutes, with 30-minute increments.

RESULTS

Operating time does not correlate with survival and outcome. The mean survival period was 9.4 months. Pain relief was achieved in 90% of the patients. There was no implant failure, but one loss of reduction.

CONCLUSION

Intramedullary nailing appears safe and effective for treatment of metastatic bone disease, and confers good functional results, pain relief, and mobility.