RUSSEL-TAYLOR RECONSTRUCTION NAIL IN THE TREATMENT OF IPSILATERAL NECK AND SHAFT FRACTURES

Eleven ipsilateral neck and shaft fractures of the femur in 11 patients (4 females, 7 males) were treated between May 1987 and December 1990 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Louisville, Trauma center level one. The mean age was 34.5 (16-60) years. All patients sustained their injuries from high energy trauma (8 traffic accidents, 3 falls). All neck fractures were closed and there were 8 closed and 3 open (grade I, grade II, grade IIIA = one each) shaft fractures. All fractures were operated on the fracture table and all were stabilized with the Russell-Taylor reconstruction nail. Thus, antegrade reamed nailing of the shaft fracture was followed by internal fixation of the neck fracture with 8.0 mm and 6.4 mm lag screws. Those were placed with a targeting device through the proximal locking holes of the nail. Then, the distal locking bolts were implanted by free hand technique. The mean follow-up was 36.2 (18-71) months. All fractures of the neck and shaft healed. There was no necrosis of the femoral head. No infection was observed. The mean healing time for the neck fractures was 13.4 weeks and 16.8 weeks for the shaft fractures. In one case autogenous cancellous bone grafting was performed in delayed healing of a shaft fracture. There were no varus or valgus malangulations. Five patients had a minor limited ROM of the hip joint, another 6 patients an average shortening of 1.3 cm of he involved leg. In one case a locking bolt had to be removed due to loosening. The Russell-Taylor reconstruction nail is a favourable device for the stabilization of ipsilateral fractures of the femoral neck and shaft and provides excellent results for these complex injuries.