Comparative study between lateral decubitus and traction table for treatment of pertrochanteric fractures with cephalomedullary nails☆

OBJECTIVE To perform a retrospective radiographic assessment of the reduction and implant position in the femoral head in patients with pertrochanteric fractures treated with cephalomedullary nailing in the lateral position versus traction table. METHODS Radiographs of patients with pertrochanteric fracture of the femur treated with cephalomedullary nailing in the lateral position and traction table were retrospectively evaluated. For the evaluation we used the anteroposterior radiographic view of the pelvis and the lateral view of the affected side. The cervicodiaphyseal angle, the tip-apex distance (TAD), and the spatial position of the cephalic component in the head were measured. Two patient groups were created, one group operated on the traction table and another group operated in the lateral position. RESULTS Regarding the cervicodiaphyseal angle observed in the traction table group, the results of 11 patients (61.1%) were outside the acceptable parameters proposed in the present study. Both groups were equivalent regarding TAD and the position of the cephalic component in the head. CONCLUSION A difference in the cervicodiaphyseal angle was observed; the group operated on the traction table had 11 patients (61.1%) whose measurements were outside the acceptable parameters.