Integrated Dual Lag Screws Have Higher Reoperation Rates for Fixation Failure Than Single Lag Component Cephalomedullary Nails

Abstract

Background: Previous studies comparing reoperation risk between integrated dual lag screw (IDL) and single lag component (SL) cephalomedullary nails (CMNs) in the treatment of intertrochanteric femoral fractures have demonstrated mixed results. The purpose of this study was to assess the rates of reoperation for fixation failure and all-cause reoperation in a large, multi-institutional cohort of patients with an intertrochanteric fracture treated with an IDL or SL CMN. We hypothesized that there would be no difference between the groups with respect to either of the reoperation rates. Methods: Adults (≥18 years old) who sustained an intertrochanteric fracture (AO/OTA 31A1 to 31A3) treated with an IDL or SL CMN between January 2014 and May 2021 at 1 of 13 Level-I trauma centers were included. Patients with <3 months of follow-up or pathologic fractures were excluded. Rates of reoperation were compared with use of the chi-square test and multivariable regression, controlling for age, gender, injury mechanism, fracture pattern, and postoperative neck-shaft angle. Results: A total of 2,130 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 78 years, and 62.5% of patients were female. The cohort consisted of 287 patients (13.5%) with an IDL CMN and 1,843 patients (86.5%) with an SL CMN. A total of 99 patients (4.6%) had a reoperation of any type, of whom 29 (1.4% of all patients) had a reoperation for fixation failure. Compared with patients with an SL CMN, those with an IDL CMN had higher rates (4.2% versus 0.9%; p < 0.001) and odds (odds ratio [OR], 4.95 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.29 to 10.69]; p < 0.001) of reoperation for fixation failure as well as higher rates (7.3% versus 4.2%; p = 0.021) and odds (OR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.10 to 3.06]; p = 0.021) of all-cause reoperation. Conclusions: Intertrochanteric femoral fractures treated with an IDL CMN were associated with low but significantly higher rates and significantly higher odds of reoperation for fixation failure and all-cause reoperation compared with those treated with an SL CMN. We suggest caution to surgeons in the use of IDL CMNs for high-risk patients and recommend using SL CMNs for most patients with intertrochanteric femoral fractures. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.