Proximal femoral locking compression plate for proximal femoral fractures

Abstract

Purpose: To review short-term outcomes of proximal femoral locking compression plate (PF-LCP) fixation for proximal femoral fractures in terms of postoperative complications and failure rates.

Methods: Medical records of 21 men and 5 women aged 22 to 85 (mean, 49.7) years who underwent internal fixation with the PF-LCP for proximal femoral fractures were reviewed. Younger patients (mean age, 38.7 years) were more commonly involved in high-energy trauma with multiple musculoskeletal injuries, whereas older patients (mean age, 67.7 years) were more commonly involved in low-energy trauma. Fractures were classified into: multi-fragmentary pertrochanteric fractures (n=13), transtrochanteric fractures (n=6), and subtrochanteric/proximal diaphyseal fractures (n=7).

Results: Patients were followed up for a mean of 14.7 months. Seven patients developed complications including loosening of locking screws (n=4), delayed union (n=2), and infection (n=1); 4 of them required additional surgeries.

Conclusion: The PF-LCP is appropriate for complex proximal femoral fractures with poor bone quality, revision surgeries, and multi-fragmentary subtrochanteric/proximal diaphyseal fractures. For intertrochanteric fractures, the sliding hip screw system should be used to avoid failure.

Keywords: bone plates; complications; equipment failure analysis; femoral neck fractures.