[Repositioning femoral neck fracture in younger patients. Valgus or anatomic reposition?].

In a retrospective study, 51 patients with femoral neck fractures received open reduction and internal fixation. They were divided into two groups. Group A included all patients treated with anatomical reduction. In Group V, the bone fragments were positioned in > or = 5 degrees valgus. The median age of the patients was 37.4 years (range 13-58). 51 patients were available for follow-up assessment at 10.1 (+/- 4.3) years. There were 33 patients in Group A and 18 in Group V. All patients were examined with regard to early and long-term complications. In the first five years, avascular necrosis was seen in 18% in Group A and not at all in Group V. Nonunion occurred in 9% of Group A and 5.5% of Group V. On average at 10 years after the operation, coxarthritis (Kellgren 2) was evident in 21.2% of Group A and 55.6% of Group V (p = 0.04). According to the Hip-Score of Merle d'Aubigné, the patients treated with anatomical reduction had a better functional outcome after 10 years. With respect to the results we recommend in younger patients (< 60 years) anatomical reduction in Pauwels I and Garden-II-fractures. Valgusreduction should be performed as well in Pauwels II and III as Garden-III-and-IV-fractures.