Short versus long intramedullary nails for intertrochanteric hip fracture: Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare short versus long intramedullary nails for intertrochanteric hip fractures in terms of efficacy and safety. METHODS: We included cohort studies and randomized clinical trials. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The meta-analysis was performed using the Review Manager 5.4. Heterogeneity was checked with the I2 test. A fixed effects model was adopted if there was no heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included. The reoperations rate was lower in the short nail group (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38-0.88) and there were no differences regarding the peri-implant fracture rate (OR 1.77, 95% CI 0.68-4.60). Surgery time and blood loss was significantly higher in the long nail group (MD -12.44, 95% CI -14.60 to (-10.28)) (MD -19.36, 95% CI -27.24 to (-11.48)). There were no differences in functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The long nail showed a higher reoperation rate, blood loss and surgery time compared to the short nail.