The clinical efficacy of proximal femoral nail antirotation and proximal femoral bionic nail in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur in the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFBN) and proximal femoral bionic nail (PFNA) for treating intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients, with the goal of providing evidence-based recommendations for clinicians to select the most suitable internal fixation method.

Materials and methods: We conducted a literature search in the CNKI, PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases for studies on PFBN and PFNA in treating elderly intertrochanteric femoral fractures, with a search timeframe from database inception to November 2024. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted relevant data.

Results: A total of eight studies were included, involving 506 patients with intertrochanteric femoral fractures, with 225 in the PFBN group and 281 in the PFNA group. The meta-analysis results indicated that the PFBN group had a significantly shorter fracture healing time compared to the PFNA group (mean difference [MD]=–0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: –1.12 to –0.10, p<0.01), an earlier postoperative weight-bearing time (MD=–13.51, 95% CI: –22.38 to –4.64, p<0.01), and a higher Harris Hip Score postoperatively (MD=0.93, 95% CI: 0.01 to 1.86), p<0.05). However, the surgical time in the PFNA group was significantly shorter than that in the PFBN group (MD=6.19, 95% CI: 2.35 to 10.03, p<0.01), and the intraoperative blood loss was also significantly less (MD=9.61, 95% CI: 0.57 to 18.65, p<0.01). There was no significant statistically significant difference in complication rates between the two groups.

Conclusion: The PFBN group exhibited a significantly shorter fracture healing time, earlier postoperative weight-bearing time, and better hip function after surgery in treating elderly intertrochanteric femoral fractures. However, the surgical time and intraoperative blood loss in the PFBN group were significantly greater than those in the PFNA group. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences in complication rates between the two groups. Therefore, PFBN remains an ideal internal fixation method for treating elderly intertrochanteric femoral fractures.

Citation: Zhang Y, Li C, Shi X, Gao Q. The clinical efficacy of proximal femoral nail antirotation and proximal femoral bionic nail in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur in the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2025;36(3):522-534. doi: 10.52312/jdrs.2025.2302.