IRREDUCIBLE INTERTROCHANTERIC FRACTURES OF THE FEMUR

A retrospective study during a 3-year interval revealed that four of 1 12 patients had intertrochanteric fractures that were irreducible by t he usual closed manipulation and traction techniques at the time of su rgery. Each of these patients' preoperative radiographs showed a fract ure line that bisected the lesser trochanter and was relatively uncomm inuted. Although longitudinal traction and appropriate closed manipula tion provide acceptable reduction for most intertrochanteric fractures , the few with the described fracture pattern may require open reducti on with removal of interposed soft tissue to achieve satisfactory alig nment.