[Avascular necrosis of the femoral head after transcervical fracture].

The association of transcervical fractures of the femur with avascular necrosis of the capital fragment was recognised many years ago. Nevertheless several basic questions, such as the incidence ofavascular necrosis, the extent and pattern ofbone death and revascularisation and also the role played by avascular necrosis in non-union of these fractures, remain unanswered. In the hope that a histological study might throw some light on these and other problems still under discussion, all femoral heads removed at operation or necropsy from patients with displaced transcervical fractures have been examined since January 1958.