Critical analysis of intramedullary nailing by the Ender method in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures.

A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the results of intramedullary fixation by Ender nailing in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. During the period 1980-1989, 85 patients were treated with this method at the Orthopedic Department of the Universita Cattolica in Rome. Evaluation of the cases took into account the patient's characteristics (age, sex, weight, height, obesity, previous or concomitant illness, level of autonomy, mental condition, type of fracture, time elapsed before operation and laboratory tests), details of the operation (length, accuracy of reduction and mechanical fixation stability, post-operative hospitalization period and general and local complications) and follow-up evaluation (X-ray examination, functional examination and evaluation of the results). Analysis of the observations showed that, although it induced less surgical trauma, internal fixation by the Ender method did not ensure a stable reduction, particularly with highly comminuted and basicervical fractures. As a result, the elective indication for this method should be restricted to stable intertrochanteric fractures, particularly in patients with a generally poor condition.