The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of femoral shaft fracture treatment with intramedullary nailing performed using a greater trochanter and a piriformis entry nail.

A total of 57 patients treated by antegrade nailing for a femoral shaft fracture between January 2008 and April 2013 were included in this study. We evaluated postoperative radiographs of 57 femoral shaft fractures stabilized with femoral intramedullary nailing at a single institutional center. The cases included 25 piriformis fossa entry nails and 32 greater trochanter entry nails. Outcome measures included the alignment, union rate and duration of union, complications, operation time, intra-operative bleeding, and a pain rating scale.

The alignment, union rate, and duration of union did not differ significantly between the groups with piriformis fossa and trochanteric nailing. In addition, no significant differences regarding complications and operation time were observed between the two groups. Less intra-operative bleeding was observed in the trochanteric nailing group. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.044).

Use of a femoral nail specially designed for the trochanteric insertion resulted in equally high union rates, duration of union, and low complication rates. Thus, greater trochanter entry nails were similar to conventional antegrade femoral nailing through the piriformis fossa.