Outcomes of Four Different Surgical Techniques in the Treatment of Geriatric Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the suicide and intoxication cases between April 2011 and April 2013. Methods: One hundred eighty-two patients operated due to intertrochanteric femur fracture in our clinic were divided into four groups: hemiarthroplasty (HA), proximal femoral nail (PFN), sliding hip screw (SHC), and external fixator (EF) groups. Time to surgery, comorbidities, anesthesia techniques, postoperative ambulation time, mortality rates and daily activity levels were compared. The patients were evaluated via outpatient follow-up and telephone interview. The Barthel index of activities of daily living was used for evaluation. Results: Patient distribution was: HA: 17 patients, PFN: 26 patients, SHC: 71 patients, and EF: 68 patients. The gender distribution (F/M) and the mean age were: HA: 11/6, 83.4 years, PFN: 18/8, 81.2 years, SHC: 48/23, 82.1 years, and EF: 44/24, 84.5 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in gender, comorbidities, anesthesia techniques, mean follow-up period, and Barthel index scores. In HA group, walking with double support duration was shorter (p=0.028). Conclusion: Elderly intertrochanteric femur fractures should be operated as soon as possible in order to prevent eventual complications preferably by regional anesthesia and internal fixation.