[Minimally invasive dynamic hip screw technique: Shorter surgical time with similar post-surgical results compared to conventional DHS technique. A retrospective cohort study].

AIM: The treatment of intertrochanteric fractures using a minimally invasive dynamic hip screw (MIDHS) technique has been reported to provide better results than the conventional technique (CDHS). The present study aims to determine whether there are any differences in terms of transfusion needs, morbidity, length of hospital stay, and economical costs, based on a study of two retrospective cohorts.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cohorts study of 80 patients with intertrochanteric femoral fractures (31-A1 and 31-A2.1) who underwent DHS procedure from July 2005 to September 2007; 40 of them were treated using the traditional technique (CDHS), and the other 40 using the minimally invasive technique (MIDHS).

RESULTS: No differences were found in terms of blood loss, transfusion requirements or morbidity. Mean hospital stay for MIDHS group was 1.3 days lower, reducing the costs regarding the CDHS group by €306.3, but this difference was not statistically significant (P=.3). The time required to perform the surgery was shorter for the MIDHS group: 49.3 versus 78.8minutes (p=0.0001).

DISCUSSION: Contrary to previous studies published, the present study did not show any advantage for the MIDHS technique, except for a shorter surgical time to perform the procedure. We consider that the MIDHS could help in improving operating room productivity and efficiency.