The sliding hip screw is the implant of choice for the operative treatment of stable trochanteric femur fractures. Surgeons have been using widely the four-hole side plate DHS (Dynamic Hip screw) with four bicortical screws, which allows adequate weight bearing after operation. However, there is lacking of scientific studies that support the use of such long plate and we question ourselves if we can accomplish the same results with the use of a smaller plate. The objective of this study is to compare the results accomplished with a four-hole and a two-hole DHS side plate in the treatment of transtrochanteric fractures. This study included 140 patients (43 male and 97 female) that had stable transtrochanteric fractures between 1/01/2005 and 31/12/2008 and were submitted to osteossynthesis with DHS side-plate. 32 (22.9%) were treated with a two-hole DHS (group DHS2) and 108 (77.1%) with four-hole. The fractures were evaluated according to the AO/OTA classification and Evans for stability. The fracture reduction was assessed according to Sernbo criteria and was recorded also patient demographics, fracture patterns and fixation, comorbilities, mortality rate, capacity of ambulation and complications.Introduction
Material and Methods
