The use of both the Smith-Petersen nail and the Hawley bone plate has given good results in five patients. The difficulties encountered in their combined use have been greatly lessened by welding them together into a one-piece flanged nail. Shortening the flange has still further simplified the use of the one-piece flanged nail.
The advantages of anchoring the "floating" lesser trochanter to its bed by screw fixation are definite and warrant the slight added operative time and trauma.