Objective  To investigate the effect of early operation with proximal femoral anti-rotation intramedullary nail (PFNA) on the prognosis of elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of femur.

  Methods  A total of 100 elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of femur were selected and treated by PFNA. According to the operation timing, all the patients were divided into control group and observation group, with 50 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with PFNA with in 48 hours after fracture, while the control group was treated with PFNA at 48 hours after tracture. After follow-up for 12 months, the operation time, intra-operative bleeding volume, blood transfusion volume, hospitalization time and hospital expenses were compared between the two groups, the Harris hip function score at 6 and 12 months after operation were compared between the two groups, and the incidence rate of complications and mortality were compared between the two groups.

  Results  The operation time, intra-operative blood loss, blood transfusion, hospitalization time and hospital cost of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The Harris hip function score at 6 and 12 months after operation in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence rate of complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), but the mortality showed no no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).

  Conclusion  Early application of PFNA for elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of femur can shorten hospitalization time, reduce hospital costs, reduce blood transfusion and bleeding during operation, and promote the recovery of hip function.