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Case Reports
. 2020 Jul 28:29:100346.
doi: 10.1016/j.tcr.2020.100346. eCollection 2020 Oct.

The rendezvous technique for the treatment of ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures: A case series

Seun Harewood  1 , Marlon M Mencia  2 , Patrick Harnarayan  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

The rendezvous technique for the treatment of ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures: A case series

Seun Harewood et al. Trauma Case Rep. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Concomitant ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures are uncommon high-energy injuries characteristically occurring in young adults. Between 75 and 100% of these injuries occur in association with polytrauma to other organ systems. Associated femoral neck fractures are typically undisplaced, occurring in 2-9% of all femoral shaft fractures. These injuries present both technical and infrastructural challenges particularly in a low resource environment. Several methods of treatment have been used to successfully treat these fractures but there exists no consensus about the optimal management strategy. The "rendezvous" technique using dual implants in an overlapping fashion has been proposed as one method to treat these fractures. We present three cases of ipsilateral hip and femoral shaft fractures which were satisfactorily treated using this technique. The "rendezvous" technique is a simple method, with a good clinical outcome and a low complication rate that can be used to treat ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures.

Keywords: Femoral; Fracture; Hip; Ipsilateral; Rendezvous.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A 36-year old male. A: Anteroposterior radiograph of the hip with DHS and proximal extent of the RFN overlapped as per the “rendezvous” technique. Note that the 3rd screw hole in the side plate could not be used. B: Anteroposterior radiograph of the femur with RFN stabilizing the femoral shaft fracture.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
A: Anteroposterior radiograph showing complete healing of the femoral neck fracture. B: Lateral radiograph showing consolidation of the femoral shaft fracture with no failure of implants.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A 34-year old male following a motor vehicle accident. A: Anteroposterior radiograph of the femur showing comminuted fracture of the proximal femur with extension into the pertrochanteric region. B: Anteroposterior radiograph of the hip with dual implants. Note that the degree of comminution did not allow use of the 3rd screw hole in the side plate and only permitted a unicortical 4th screw. The RFN is inserted high into the femur and both anteroposterior proximal locking holes are used to increase stability.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A and B: Anteroposterior (A) and lateral radiographs (B) showing complete healing of the fractures without failure of implants.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
A 36-year old male with a liver laceration. A: Anteroposterior radiograph of the femur showing a displaced intertrochanteric fracture and a comminuted midshaft femoral fracture. B: Anteroposterior radiograph of the hip showing good reduction of both fractures. Note that both the 3rd and 4th screws in the side plate are unicortical. C: Anteroposterior radiograph of the femoral shaft with RFN in situ.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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