THE OPERATIVE TREATMENT OF TROCHANTERIC F RACTURES WITH KUNTSCHERS Y-NAIL

For the treatment of trochanteric fractures different osteosynthetic d evices are available. One of these is Kuntscher's y-nail, which has be en already developed in 1939, but is nowadays rarely used. We have eva lued data on 632 patients, treated between 1975 and 1985 with this met hod. In this high aged (78 years average) multimorbid group of patient s the postoperative mortality reached 20,9%. ComplicatiOns Of osteosyn thesis appeared only in 5,8%, poor functional results were noticed in even less than 1%, The full weight stability immediately after the ope ration independently from the type of fracture was considerated as a m ain advantage of the method. Compared to other osteosynthetic devices the y-nailing represents an at least equivalent method, which is able to stabilize all types of trochanteric fractures of the elderly people with simple technique and good results.