Screening time for extra-capsular proximal femoral fracture fixation; the difference between extra-medullary and intra-medullary implant usage

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the fluoroscopic screening time used for treatment of fractures of the trochanteric region of the femur using two different implant systems. Data were collected from 277 proximal femoral fracture fixations. A dynamic hip screw (DHS) was used in 145, and an intra-medullary hip screw (IMHS) was used in 132. There was no difference between the two groups with respect to age, gender or side. Altogether, there were 42% two parts, 35% were three parts and 23% were four parts extra-capsular neck fractures. There was no statistical difference in ionising radiation exposure in closed reduction of these fractures regardless of the fracture configuration or surgical experience of the surgeon. The mean screening time to implant a DHS in two part fractures was 0.48 min, for three part fractures it was 0.45 min and for four part fractures it was 0.46 min. The mean screening time to implant IMHS was 1.02 min for two part fractures, 0.96 min for three part fractures and 1.03 min for four part fractures. These differences were statistically significant ( P ≤0.05).