Prevention and management of in-hospital complications in the surgical treatment of hip fractures in elderly patients / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the prevention and management of in-hospital complications to the surgical treatment of hip fractures in elder patients (≥80 years). Methods An retrospective data of 198 hip fracture patients with surgical treatment between Jan. 1996 and Mar. 2004 was reviewed. Their age ranged from 80 to 98 years with an average of 85.2 years. 93 cases were femoral neck fracture (Garden type Ⅰ 2 cases, type Ⅱ 10 cases, type Ⅲ 52 cases and type Ⅳ 29 cases) while 105 were intertrochanteric fracture ( Evan type Ⅰ 3 cases, typeⅡ 37 cases, type Ⅲ 39 cases and type Ⅳ 26 cases). Local anaesthesia, general anaesthesia and epidural anaesthesia were used in 2, 38 and 158 cases respectively. Femoral neck fractures were treated with bipolar femoral head replacement in 77 patients, total hip replacement in 13 patients, and compressive cannulated screw fixation in 3 patients respectively. Intertrochanteric fractures were treated with close reduction and dynamic hip screw (DHS) internal fixation. Results The average operation duration and blood loss were 53 min and 110 ml respectively in the bipolar femoral head replacement group, 94 min and 165 ml in the total hip replacement group, 35 min and 30 ml in the screw fixation group and 40 min and 60 ml in the DHS group. 17 cases under cemented hip replacement suffered obviously transient arterial blood pressure drop. 36 cases (18.2%) had postoperative complications, among which the mental system and circulation system were more inclined to be involved. The average in-hospital time was 18.6 days and 2 cases died in hospital. The average time from admission to operation (waiting time ) was 6 days. Among 46 cases longer than 7 days, 9 cases (19.6%) had postoperative complications. Among 152 cases no longer than 7 days, 27 cases (17.8%) had postoperative complications. It showed no statistical significant difference between the two groups in complication incidence. Conclusion To gain good results in elderly patients of hip fracture by operation, less invasive and quick anaesthetic technique and operative procedures are encouraged. Meticulous preoperative preparation, active preventing and treating the intraoperative and postoperative complications should be emphasized on.