[Incidence and severity of postoperative anemia in elderly patients treated with Ender intramedullary nails].

Stress is laid on the state of progressive anaemia that follows osteosynthesis with Ender intramedullary nails in elderly patients suffering from femoral pertrochanteric fracture. The behaviour of haemochromocytometric values has been examined in a series of 56 female patients aged more than 75, from the time of admission to the fourth day subsequent to surgery: in sharp contrast with the minor trauma triggered by the operation, a significant reduction was observed in haemoglobinaemia and in haematocrit value. Attempting, hypothetically, to give a plausible justification to these results, it is concluded by recommending careful clinical and laboratory control during the days immediately following the operation.