The long gamma nail: a DGH experience

Subtrochanteric fractures constitute a difficult problem for the trauma sur geon. The long Gamma nail (LGN) represents an efficient technique in the ma nagement of these fractures. A retrospective analysis of 51 LGN with an ave rage follow up of 16 weeks is presented. The average age of the patients wa s 72 years and the mean time to union was 11 weeks. The incidence of perope rative, early local and late local complications was 8, 8 and 4%, respectiv ely or 20% in total. The thirty-day mortality was 8%. Our results in the us e of the LGN have been good. Its introduction provides the trauma surgeon w ith a tool for allowing earlier mobilisation, decreasing operative time, su rgical trauma, blood loss and wound problems. The LGN is a device by which most complex fractures in the proximal femur can be managed with a single i mplant. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.