ZICKEL SUPRACONDYLAR NAILING FOR SUPRACONDYLAR FEMORAL FRACTURES IN ELDERLY OR INFIRM PATIENTS - A REVIEW OF 33 CASES

We report 33 cases of femoral supracondylar fracture in elderly or deb ilitated patients treated by Zickel supracondylar nails. Most of the p atients were female and their mean age was 79 years. All had concurren t medical problems and only nine could walk unaided. The operating tim e averaged one hour and mean blood loss was 100 ml. Postoperative mana gement was by mobilisation in a cast brace or plaster. Six patients di ed before fracture union; all the others achieved union at an average of 12 weeks. The results were excellent in terms of pain relief, movem ent and function; there were no infections or nonunions. The locking s crews backed out or broke in 26% but this did not prejudice the outcom e. Use of the Zickel system is recommended for this group of frail pat ients.