Retrospective Radiological Analysis of Postoperative Complications in Unstable Peritrochanteric Fractures in a Tertiary Hospital

INTRODUCTION Peritrochanteric fractures are one of the most common fractures occurring in the elderly which are frequently associated with low energy trauma. With improved surgical techniques, better design of implants, open reduction and internal fixation of these fractures has become treatment of choice in the recent area. Unstable intertrochanteric fractures are ones where there is posteromedial communition thereby increasing the chance of various complications postoperatively. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To document the incidence of post operative complications radiologically and determine the differential incidence between intramedullary and extramedullary fixation devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective radiological audit of 101 unstable peritrochanteric fractures which were assessed radiologically at 3 months and 6 months to look for various complications like varus collaps, non union, screw cut out and implant failure. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of varus collapse, screw cut out, implant failure and excessive medialization is significantly more with dynamic hip screw as compared to a prxoximal femoral nail. However the incidence of non union was equal with both modes of fixation.