We treated 303 cases of peritrochanteric fractures with the gamma nail from 1992 to 1997. 11 cases showed post-operative complications requiring second-time surgical procedures. 4 cases showed the complications of cutouts, 4 fractures of the femoral shafts, 1 aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, 1 infection of the operative site, and 1 non-union.
Incorrect indication of the gamma nail inadequate positioning of the lag screw were major causes of cutouts, and reaming apparently affected the fractures of the femoral shafts, since they were caused even by the slightest force on the femoral bone during walking and falling. Inserting the nail into the fracture line, which poses as an unavoidable disadvantage of the gamma nail, drawback was the cause of the diastasis of the fractures, resulting in the non-union.