Internal fixation of pertrochanteric fractures using DHS with a two-hole side-plate.

Pertrochanteric fracture in a group of 41 patients was internally fixed using a DHS with a two-hole side-plate. There were 20 male and 21 female patients with a mean age of 74 years. Thirty-two patients were followed up for more than one year and their final results were evaluated. There were 30 stable (31A1) and only two unstable (31A2) fractures. The average surgical time was 28 minutes, the average length of incision was 5.5 cm. All the patients, with one exception, healed without complications in anatomical position with good function of the hip joint. The only complication was caused by pulling-out of the plate from the femur in the fourth postoperative week when the patient (31A2 fracture) fell out of bed. A DHS with a four-hole side-plate was used at reoperation; subsequently the fracture had healed. Based on the results in this series of patients, the authors recommend fixation of stable pertrochanteric fractures with DHS and a two-hole side-plate. As proven by the authors, the benefit of DHS with a two-hole side-plate as compared to DHS with a four-hole side-plate is a shorter surgical time (28 and 36 minutes, respectively).