Correct anatomical location of entry point for antegrade femoral nailing.

ABSTRACT

Closed intramedullary nailing is a well-accepted method of treatment for femoral shaft fractures. The issue of the correct entry point for antegrade nailing remains a matter of controversy, and the literature is confusing. We reviewed the opinions of 100 orthopaedic surgeons by means of questionnaires. Only four surgeons were able to identify and label their respective entry points for femoral nailing correctly, possibly because of incorrect illustration in publications or errors in terminology. Although the piriformis fossa appears to be the ideal entry point, the importance of exact localisation in the sagittal plane, centered over the axis of medullary canal, cannot be overlooked.