Application value of auxiliary anterolateral hip mini-incision combined with traction-free reduction and internal fixation in complex intertrochanteric fractures in older adult patients.

Study Summary

41 patients with low-energy osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures were assigned to receive proximal femoral nail antirotatio (PFNA) fixation using an anterolateral hip mini-incision with traction-free reduction or conventional traction table-assisted reduction. The primary outcomes were anesthesia duration and reduction quality according to the Fogagnolo criteria. Secondary outcomes included operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopic exposures, postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, Harris Hip Score (HHS), incision complications, perioperative mortality, and fixation-related adverse events. Outcomes were assessed through 6 months. Overall, the traction-free mini-incision technique significantly shortened anesthesia duration and reduced intraoperative blood loss, while reduction quality, postoperative pain, fluoroscopic exposure, and hip function were comparable between groups. These findings suggest that anterolateral mini-incision-assisted traction-free PFNA fixation may be a practical alternative to traction table-assisted fixation, particularly when traction table availability is limited.