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Straight nail insertion through a laterally shifted entry for diaphyseal atypical femoral fractures with bowing: good indications and limitations of this technique

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Abstract

Purpose

Inserting a straight (piriformis fossa entry) nail through the tip of the greater trochanter has been used for treating atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) with bowing. This study aimed to determine what degree of bowing can be successfully treated using a laterally shifted entry technique.

Methods

Twenty-three complete and six incomplete diaphyseal AFFs treated using the shifted entry technique were retrospectively analysed. Radiologic parameters and complications were evaluated. The complete AFFs were divided into two groups based on the severity of preoperative bowing: grade 0-II bowing and < 20° lateral bowing (minimal/moderate) and grade III bowing or ≥ 20° lateral bowing (severe). Comparison according to postoperative malalignment, a change of lateral or anterior bowing ≥ 5° was also performed.

Results

Three complete AFFs in the minimal/moderate group showed malalignment, as did all in the severe group (p < 0.001). The change of bowing was greater for the severe group in lateral and anterior bowing (p = 0.004 and 0.001, respectively). A greater fracture gap was found on AP and lateral radiographs in the severe group (p = 0.044 and 0.026, respectively). In the comparison according to postoperative malalignment, a significant difference was found for the percentage of severe deformity (p < 0.001). All incomplete AFFs were united without complication.

Conclusion

Diaphyseal AFFs with grade 0-II bowing and < 20° anterior bowing were treated successfully by the shifted entry technique. However, postoperative malalignment was found in all cases of AFFs with severe bowing. Therefore, other techniques should be considered for AFFs with grade III bowing or ≥ 20° anterior bowing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea

    Seong-Eun Byun & Seonguk Kim

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Deagu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea

    Young-Ho Cho & Young Soo Byun

  3. Department of Orthoaedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro 173-beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea

    Young-Kyun Lee, Jung-Wee Park & Kyung-Hoi Koo

Authors
  1. Seong-Eun Byun
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  2. Young-Ho Cho
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  4. Jung-Wee Park
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  5. Seonguk Kim
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  6. Kyung-Hoi Koo
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  7. Young Soo Byun
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Contributions

Conceptualization: Seong-Eun Byun, Young-Ho Cho, Young-Kyun Lee, Young Soo Byun; methodology: Seong-Eun Byun, Seonguk Kim, Kyung-Hoi Koo; formal analysis and investigation: Jung-Wee Park, Young-Ho Cho, Seonguk Kim; writing—original draft preparation: Seong-Eun Byun; writing—review and editing: Young-Ho Cho, Young-Kyun Lee, Young Soo Byun; resources: Jung-Wee Park, Young Soo Byun; supervision: Kyung-Hoi Koo, Young Soo Byun

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Correspondence to Young-Kyun Lee.

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This study was approved by the institutional review board (application number: 2021–02-022).

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Byun, SE., Cho, YH., Lee, YK. et al. Straight nail insertion through a laterally shifted entry for diaphyseal atypical femoral fractures with bowing: good indications and limitations of this technique. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 45, 3223–3232 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-021-05212-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-021-05212-0

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