Minimally Invasive Dynamic Hip Screw: Prospective Randomized Trial of Two Techniques of Insertion of a Standard Dynamic Fixation Device

OBJECTIVEThis study evaluates the safety and outcome of a minimally invasive technique for inserting a standard dynamic hip screw for intertrochanteric fractures. HYPOTHESISThe use of standard plate in a minimally invasive technique is both possible and advantageous to patient outcome. DESIGN AND METHODSProspective surgeon-randomized blinded outcome clinical study comparing new technique to conventional technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREPain, operative time and mean hemoglobin drop in percutaneous hip fixation. RESULTSThe minimally invasive technique had significantly less blood loss (P < 0.001), operative time (P < 0.001) and a trend to less morphine use. CONCLUSIONSMinimal invasive technique significantly reduces blood loss and operative time for fixation of intertrochanteric hip fractures without sacrifice of fixation stability or bone healing.