Classic nail versus DHS. A prospective randomised study on operative fixation of trochanteric femur fractures

The intramedullary hip screw system Classic-Nail and the Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) were evaluated in a prospective-randomized clinical trial for operati ve treatment of trochanteric femur fractures. Hundred and ten geriatric pat ients (mean age 82 years) were runningly included in the study (56 Classic Nail, 54 DHS). No significant differences between the two study groups were observed with regard to treatment and follow-up data. With the Classic-Nai l one complete femur shaft fracture and one incomplete fracture occured at the tip of the nail intraoperatively and could successfully be fixed with c erclage wires. In the DHS group two patients underwent reoperation for sign ificant loss of reduction early postoperatively. At an avarage follow-up of 3.7 months, all fractures were healed with no difference in functional out come between the two groups. -Classic Nail and DHS both lead to equally goo d results in the operative treatment of trochanteric femur fractures.