Aim: The aim of the study is to present our experience in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in high-risk elderly patients, using regional anaesthesia, and assess the method.

Material and methods: During the last 3 years, we treated 39 patients (15 men, 24 women) mean age 89.7 yrs, range 71–100 yrs, using external fixation. Three at least of the following diseases co-existed: coronary disease, hypertension, neurological disease, respiratory disease, diabetes melitus, obesity. Mean time of the procedure was 20 minutes.

Results: 1) All fractures were united. 2) Pin-track infection in 9 paients.3) Four patients died during their hospitalization from pathological reasons.

Conclusions: The use of external fixation in high-risk elderly patients, is a secure and reliable method of treatment. It lasts a short time with no blood loss, provides a stable osteosynthesis, and permits early mobilization and rehabilitation.

A drawback of the method is the pin-track infection.

Aim: The aim of the study is to present our experience in the treatment of radial nerve palsy due to humeral fracture.

Material and methods: During the last 4 years, we treated 10 patients with humeral fractures associated with radial nerve palsy. Seven patients were men and 3 were women (mean age 47.8 yrs, range 29–68 yrs). All fractures were closed. Three fractures were transverse, 4 were oblique and 3 were comminuted.

Nerve palsy was present at admission in 8 cases while in 2 cases it appeared after closed reduction manipulations. The latter was considered as an indication for early surgical exploration. Three out of the rest 8 patients were explored because the fracture was comminuted. The remaining five patients were treated initially conservatively. In 3 of them closed reduction failed and the patients were also operated. In total, 2 of the patients were treated with closed reduction.

Results: All fractures were united. During exploration no serious injury was found. All patients had complete return of nerve function within 8 months.

Conclusions: Because no serious injury of the nerve was found during exploration and recovery was complete, surgical treatment could have been avoided. Conservative treatment should be the initial treatment of choice.