Minimally Invasive Dynamic Hip Screw

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the safety and outcome of a minimally invasive technique for inserting a standard dynamic hip screw for intertrochanteric fractures. HYPOTHESIS: The use of standard plate in a minimally invasive technique is both possible and advantageous to patient outcome. DESIGN AND METHODS: Prospective surgeon-randomized blinded outcome clinical study comparing new technique to conventional technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Pain, operative time and mean hemoglobin drop in percutaneous hip fixation. RESULTS: The minimally invasive technique had significantly less blood loss (P < 0.001), operative time (P < 0.001) and a trend to less morphine use. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal invasive technique significantly reduces blood loss and operative time for fixation of intertrochanteric hip fractures without sacrifice of fixation stability or bone healing.