Cemented Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty for Intertrochanter Fracture in Elderly Patients: Minimum 2-Years Follow-up Results

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of bipolar hemiarthroplasty using a cemented femoral stem for treating femoral trochanteric region hip fractures in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes 47 hips were available to be follow up for over 2 years, between December 1995 and December 2002. Clinical evaluation was done using Koval's classification before the fracture and at last follow-up, and Harris's hip score at the last follow up. Radiological evaluation was done via the plain radiographs. RESULTS: The Koval classification was as follows recovery to the condition before fracture in 15 cases (31.9%), degradation by 1 class in 31 cases (66.0%) and degradation by 2 classes in 1 case (2.1%). The Harris hip score was 84.6 points at the last follow-up. All the cases showed stable fixation of the femoral stem. Postoperative complications were reported as 1 case of pneumonia, 1 case of deep vein thrombosis, 1 case of pulmonary thromboembolism, 1 case of pulmonary edema, 3 cases of stress ulcer, 1 case of superficial infection and 1 case of deep infection. Superficial pressure sore occurred in 1 case, postoperative delirium occurred in 9 cases and partial rupture of the bladder in 1 case. CONCLUSION: Bipolar hemiarthroplasty using a cemented femoral stem was effective and satisfactory for the treatment of elderly patients with intertrochanter fractures. But further studies that will focus on complications are required.