[Femoral head necrosis after intramedullary nailing of the femur in adults].

An avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurred after intra-medullary nailing of a femoral diaphyseal fracture. This complication may be related to the posterior situation of the proximal insertion hole just posterior to the trochanteric notch and piriformis fossa as demonstrated by the CT scan. This situation of the nail may cause injury to posterior branch of the circonflex artery at the time of rod insertion. Even if it appears exceptional in adult patients with intra-medullary nailing, this potential complication and the anatomy of the superior extremity of the femur should be known.