Nonoperative Geriatric Hip Fracture Treatment Is Associated With Increased Mortality: A Matched Cohort Study

Increased 90-Day Morbidity and Mortality Among Patients With Hip Fracture During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

When coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first spread to the United States, our institution was at the outbreak's epicenter. Despite limited understanding of COVID-19's long-term effects, we continued performing surgical fixation of geriatric hip fractures under strict guidelines. This study examined the outcomes of these patients during the pandemic compared with those of patients treated pre-pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with hip fractures between December 2019 and June 2020, the peak of the pandemic in our region. Outcomes of patients treated with surgical fixation (2020 cohort) were compared with those of a historical control group (2019 cohort). The primary outcome was 90-day mortality, with secondary outcomes including pneumonia, thromboembolic events, emergency department visits, readmission, and cardiac events.

RESULTS

The 2020 cohort (n=64) and 2019 cohort (n=78) had similar baseline characteristics. The 2020 cohort had a 4.27 times higher risk (95% CI, 1.30-13.98) of developing pneumonia compared with the pre-pandemic cohort but had no other differences in 90-day complications. Patients with COVID-19 in the 2020 cohort had a 5.09 times higher risk (95% CI, 1.35-19.20) of developing pneumonia and a 5.38 times higher risk (95% CI, 1.13-25.64) of postoperative mortality. There was no increased risk for thromboembolism between the 2020 and 2019 cohorts, even among COVID-19 cases, as all patients received anticoagulation with heparin.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that hip fracture surgery remained safe during the peak of the US COVID-19 pandemic, with an expected increase in pneumonia and mortality risk for patients with hip fracture with COVID-19. [Orthopedics. 202x;4x(x):xx-xx.].

Surgical treatment of displaced proximal humerus fractures is associated with decreased 1-year mortality in patients aged 65 years and older: a retrospective study of Medicare patients

BACKGROUND

Proximal humerus fracture (PHF) is a risk factor for 1-year mortality. This study aimed to determine if surgery is associated with lower mortality compared to nonoperative treatment following PHF in older patients.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used the Medicare Limited Data set. Patients aged 65 years and older with a PHF diagnosis in 2017-2020 were included. Treatment was classified as nonoperative, open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), or hemiarthroplasty. Multivariable logistic regression models examined (a) predictors of treatment type and (b) the association of treatment type with 1-year mortality, adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, frailty, and fracture severity among other variables. A subgroup analysis examined how the relationship between treatment type and 1-year mortality varied based on fracture severity. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported.

RESULTS

In total, 49,072 patients were included (mean age = 76.6 years, 82.3% female). Most were treated nonoperatively (77.5%), 10.9% underwent ORIF, 10.6% underwent TSA, and 1.0% underwent hemiarthroplasty. Examples of factors associated with receipt of operative (versus nonoperative treatment) included worse fracture severity and lower frailty. The 1-year mortality rate after the initial PHF diagnosis was 11.0% for the nonoperative group, 4.0% for ORIF, 5.2% for TSA, and 6.0% for hemiarthroplasty. Compared to nonoperative treatment, ORIF (aOR 0.55; 95% CI [0.47, 0.64]; P < .001) and TSA (aOR 0.59; 95% CI [0.50, 0.68]; P < .001) were associated with decreased odds of 1-year mortality. In the subgroup analysis, ORIF and TSA were associated with a lower 1-year mortality risk for 2-part and 3-/4-part fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to nonoperative treatment, surgery (particularly TSA and ORIF) was associated with a decreased odds of 1-year mortality. This relationship remained significant for 2-part and 3-/4-part fractures after stratifying by fracture severity.

Factors Associated With Ambulation Status and Survival One Year After Conservative Management of Hip Fracture

PURPOSE

Few studies have investigated the factors associated with ambulation and survival over one year. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the factors that influence ambulation and survival rates in elderly patients who have undergone conservative management for hip fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 74 ambulatory individuals aged 65 years or older prior to their injuries. One-year mortality and ambulatory status were assessed. Statistical comparisons of background and medical characteristics between groups of independent and non-independent walkers, as well as between survivors and mortalities, were performed using the Pearson chi-squared, Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS

The numbers of older patients able to walk independently, those not able to walk independently, and those with mortality at one-year post-injury after conservative management of hip fractures were 13 (18.3%), 35 (49.3%), and 23 (32.4%), respectively. Independent walkers one year after conservative treatment for hip fracture were younger (p=0.04) and less likely to have cognitive impairment (p=0.04) than non-independent walkers. The proportion of individuals with cognitive impairment was found to be lower among survivors than among mortalities (p=0.0098).

CONCLUSION

Cognitive decline may contribute to difficulties in walking independently and mortality at one year post-injury in this population.

Telling the truth to patients before hip fracture surgery

BACKGROUND

Hip fracture repair surgery carries a certain mortality risk, yet evidence suggests that orthopedic surgeons often refrain from discussing this issue with patients prior to surgery.

AIM

This study aims to examine whether orthopedic surgeons raise the issue of one-year post-surgery mortality before hip fracture repair surgery and to explore factors influencing this decision.

METHOD

The study employs a cross-sectional design, administering validated digital questionnaires to 150 orthopedic surgeons.

RESULTS

A minority of orthopedic surgeons reported always informing patients about the risk of mortality in the year following hip fracture surgery. The main reasons for not discussing this risk were a desire to avoid frightening patients, time constraints, and concerns about undermining patient hope. Orthopedic surgeons reported a medium-high level of perceived self-efficacy, with higher self-efficacy associated with a reduced likelihood of discussing one-year mortality risk. Conversely, older age and holding a specialist status in orthopedic surgery were associated with an increased likelihood of discussing this risk with patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest a need for interventions to address communication barriers and ensure consistent provision of essential information to patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Additionally, they highlight the importance of considering individual factors such as self-efficacy, age, and expertise in designing strategies to improve patient-provider communication in orthopedic care settings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study doesn`t report the results of a health care intervention.

Anticoagulant Medication in Endoprosthetically Treated Proximal Femur Fracture - Complications and Mortality Considering the Time of Treatment as a Quality Criterion

There is an international debate on the optimal time to surgery following hip fracture in older patients. Pre-existing anticoagulation seems to be a major concern when it comes to a delay in operative fracture treatment. The aim of this study was to examine complication and mortality rates for elderly anticoagulated hip fracture patients considering early (< 24 h) vs. delayed (> 24 h) surgery.Our Analysis is based on data of the external inpatient quality assurance of North Rhine Westphalia as the most populous German federal state. We identified 13,201 hip fracture patients with antithrombotic medication and a minimum age of 65 years treated from January 2015 to December 2017.Delayed surgery was associated with significantly higher rates of general and surgical complications as well as mortality. Except for pre-existing heart failure, we were not able to identify certain comorbidities that could clearly indicate, why there might have been a delay.In most cases, patients with antithrombotic medication have a poor outcome to be expected due to serious comorbidity. If there was a delay in surgery for those patients, treatment results were even worse. Thus, surgery with a delay of > 24 h must be avoided to reduce the risk of complications.

[Long-term anticoagulation treatment in proximal femoral fractures as obstacle to surgery in the 24h time window? : Results of an analysis of Quality Assurance data on 32,252 treatment courses with osteosynthesis]

BACKGROUND

Both in Germany and internationally there is a vehement controversy about the appropriate time for care of proximal femoral fractures in older patients. The effort to achieve high quality and uniform standards of care culminated in the German healthcare system in the strict requirement of delay-free surgery within 24 h. Until now, in view of their high vulnerability patients who were severely injured were too often operated on late with the reference to a general medical condition that could be improved preoperatively. In particular, the fear of complications due to a pre-existing long-term anticoagulation treatment was repeatedly emphasized.

OBJECTIVE

The present study is dedicated to the question of whether a delay in surgery of anticoagulated patients with proximal femoral fractures already during the inpatient course has a detrimental effect on the complication statistics and the mortality of the patients. The extent to which external quality assurance data are suitable for rebutting any objections to an operation as soon as possible are examined.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study is based on treatment data from the external inpatient quality assurance procedure of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia from the years 2018-2020. Patients with a proximal femoral fracture were considered. This includes femoral neck fractures and fractures in the area of the pertrochanteric to subtrochanteric region. Only cases with joint-preserving fracture care were selected. The data sets were analyzed using suitable statistical software.

RESULTS

More general complications and deaths have been observed in anticoagulated patients. The trend of delayed fracture treatment under anticoagulant medication continues to be clearly visible. A positive association between longer preoperative waiting time and undesirable courses can be confirmed.

CONCLUSION

With respect to fracture care when taking anticoagulants, it must be critically examined to what extent a rapid normalization of the coagulation situation is necessary and this actually improves the chances of low complication courses. Should the elimination of the anticoagulant effect by substitution or antidote appear necessary, this should not prevent early care.

The real time to surgery: Limited delay after medical optimization does not impact hip fracture surgery outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Current U.S./Canadian guidelines recommend hip fracture surgery within 48 h of injury to decrease morbidity/mortality. Multiple studies have identified medical optimization as the key component of time to surgery, but have inherent bias as patients with multiple co-morbidities often take longer to optimize. This study aimed to evaluate time from medical optimization to surgery (TMOS) to determine if "real surgical delay" is associated with: 1) mortality and 2) complications for geriatric hip fracture patients.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of geriatric hip fractures treated from 2015-2018 at a single, level-1 trauma center was conducted. Univariate logistic regression was performed to identify association between TMOS and post-operative complication rates. For mortality, the Wilcoxon test was used to compare TMOS for patients discharged following surgery to those who were not.

RESULTS

A total of 884 hip fractures were treated operatively, with median TMOS 16.2 h (5.0-22.5, 1st-3rd quartiles). Univariate logistic regression models did not identify an association between TMOS and complication rates. For patients successfully discharged, median TMOS was 16.2 h (5.0-22.3, 1st-3rd quartiles). For the cohort of patients not successfully discharged, median TMOS was 19.1 h (10.1-25.9, 1st-3rd quartiles, p = 0.16).

CONCLUSION

"Real surgical delay", or TMOS is not associated with increased complications or with inpatient mortality for geriatric hip fracture patients. With few exceptions, our institution adhered to the 48-hour time window from injury to hip surgery. We maintain the belief timely surgery following optimization plays a crucial role in the geriatric hip fracture patient outcomes.

Risk prediction models of mortality after hip fracture surgery in older individuals: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to critically assess existing risk prediction models for postoperative mortality in older individuals with hip fractures, with the objective of offering substantive insights for their clinical application.

DESIGN

A comprehensive search was conducted across prominent databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang, spanning original articles in both Chinese and English up until 1 December 2023. Two researchers independently extracted pertinent research characteristics, such as predictors, model performance metrics, and modeling methodologies. Additionally, the bias risk and applicability of the incorporated risk prediction models were systematically evaluated using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST).

RESULTS

Within the purview of this investigation, a total of 21 studies were identified, constituting 21 original risk prediction models. The discriminatory capacity of the included risk prediction models, as denoted by the minimum and maximum areas under the subject operating characteristic curve, ranged from 0.710 to 0.964. Noteworthy predictors, recurrent across various models, included age, sex, comorbidities, and nutritional status. However, among the models assessed through the PROBAST framework, only one was deemed to exhibit a low risk of bias. Beyond this assessment, the principal limitations observed in risk prediction models pertain to deficiencies in data analysis, encompassing insufficient sample size and suboptimal handling of missing data.

CONCLUSION

Subsequent research endeavors should adopt more stringent experimental designs and employ advanced statistical methodologies in the construction of risk prediction models. Moreover, large-scale external validation studies are warranted to rigorously assess the generalizability and clinical utility of existing models, thereby enhancing their relevance as valuable clinical references.

Biomechanical evaluation of a new intramedullary nail compared with proximal femoral nail antirotation and InterTAN for the management of femoral intertrochanteric fractures

Purpose: Surgical treatment is the main treatment method for femoral intertrochanteric fractures (FIFs), however, there are lots of implant-related complications after surgery. Our team designed a new intramedullary nail (NIN) to manage such fractures. The purpose of this study was to introduce this new implant and compare it with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and InterTAN for treating FIFs. Methods: An AO/OTA 31-A1.3 FIF model was built and three fixation models were created via finite element method, comprising PFNA, InterTAN, and the NIN. Vertical, anteroposterior (A-P) bending, and torsional loads were simulated and applied to the three fixation models. Displacement and stress distribution were monitored. In order to compare PFNA and the NIN deeply, finite element testing was repeated for five times in vertical load case. Results: The finite element analysis (FEA) data indicated that the NIN possessed the most outstanding mechanical properties among the three fixation models. The NIN model had lower maximal stress at implants compared to PFNA and InterTAN models under three load conditions. The trend of maximal stress at bones was similar to that of maximal stress at implants. Besides, the NIN model showed smaller maximal displacement compared with PFNA and InterTAN models under vertical, A-P bending, and torsional load cases. The trend for maximal displacement of fracture surface (MDFS) was almost identical with that of maximal displacement. In addition, there was significant difference between the PFNA and NIN groups in vertical load case (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with PFNA and InterTAN, the NIN displayed the best mechanical properties for managing FIFs, including the lowest von Mises stress at implants and bones, and the smallest maximal displacement and MDFS under vertical, A-P bending, and torsional load cases. Therefore, this study might provide a new choice for patients with FIFs.

Current surgical status of hip fracture among elderly in China

OBJECTIVE

Hip fracture patients are recommended to undergo surgery within 24-36 h. The present study aimed to analyze the current status of hip fracture surgery among the elderly in China.

METHODS

The baseline information, such as the patient's age, gender, place of residence, place of treatment, fracture type, admission, and operation time, of hip fracture patients >65-years-old were retrieved from the hospital quality monitoring system (HQMS) database from 2013 to 2017 and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 304,279 patients >65-years-old with hip fractures were included in this study. The average length of hospital stay was 15 days, and the average waiting time for surgery after admission was 96 h. The average surgery rate of elderly hip fractures in China was 59.6 %, of which the lowest was recorded in the Northwest China (46.4 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The major issues in diagnosing and treating elderly patients with hip fractures in China are the long waiting time for surgery and the low surgery rate.

Clinician perspectives on nonoperative management of hip fractures during COVID-19

Aims

To identify factors influencing clinicians' decisions to undertake a nonoperative hip fracture management approach among older people, and to determine whether there is global heterogeneity regarding these factors between clinicians from high-income countries (HIC) and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Methods

A SurveyMonkey questionnaire was electronically distributed to clinicians around the world through the Fragility Fracture Network (FFN)'s Perioperative Special Interest Group and clinicians' personal networks between 24 May and 25 July 2021. Analyses were performed using Excel and STATA v16.0. Between-group differences were determined using independent-samples t-tests and chi-squared tests.

Results

A total of 406 respondents from 51 countries answered the questionnaire, of whom 225 came from HIC and 180 from LMIC. Clinicians from HIC reported a greater median and mean estimated proportion of admitted patients with hip fracture undergoing surgery (median 96% (interquartile range (IQR) 95% to 99%); mean 94% (SD 8%)) than those from LMIC (median 85% (IQR 75% to 95%); mean 81% (SD 16%); p < 0.001). Global heterogeneity seems to exist regarding factors such as anticipated life expectancy, insufficient resources, ability to pay, treatment costs, and perception of risk in hip fracture management decision-making.

Conclusion

This study represents the first international sampling of clinician perspectives regarding nonoperative hip fracture management. Several factors seemed to influence the clinician decision-making process. Further research is needed to inform the development of best practice guidelines to improve decision-making and the quality of hip fracture care among older people.

Differences in periprosthetic bone mineral density tendencies with Types 1 and 3C stems in bipolar hemiarthroplasty following hip fracture

The purpose of this study was to compare the periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) changes in the patients who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BPHA) for geriatric femoral neck fracture between two major different types of cementless femoral stems. A total of 93 patients (96 hips) who underwent BPHA for femoral neck fracture were categorized into two groups: Type 1 (42 patients, 44 hips), and Type 3C stem (51 patients, 52 hips). We investigated the annual follow-up trends of periprosthetic BMD at each Gruen zone during minimum postoperative 5-years; moreover, we compared the trends of periprosthetic BMD between both groups. The mean follow-up period was 7.1 years. In both groups, the overall BMD at the last follow-up had decreased compared with the baseline. In those with the Type 1 stem, BMD in the lateral femoral meta-diaphysis significantly decreased at 1-year follow-up after surgery. In those with Type 3C stem, BMD in the lateral femoral metaphysis postoperatively decreased after 3-years, whereas the BMD in the mediolateral femoral diaphysis drastically decreased postoperative 1-year period and plateaued thereafter. Different tendencies according to stem design were observed obviously in the postoperative BMD change of the proximal femur in patients who underwent BPHA for geriatric femoral neck fracture.

Machine learning algorithms to predict risk of postoperative pneumonia in elderly with hip fracture

BACKGROUND

Hip fracture (HF) is one of the most common fractures in the elderly and is significantly associated with high mortality and unfavorable prognosis. Postoperative pneumonia (POP), the most common postoperative complication of HF, can seriously affect patient prognosis and increase the burden on the healthcare system. The aim of this study was to develop machine learning models for identifying elderly patients at high risk of pneumonia after hip fracture surgery.

METHODS

From May 2016 to November 2022, patients admitted to a single central hospital for HF served as the study population. We extracted data that could be collected within 24 h of patient admission. The dataset was divided into training and validation sets according to 70:30. Based on the screened risk factors, prediction models were developed using seven machine learning algorithms, namely CART, GBM, KNN, LR, NNet, RF, and XGBoost, and their performance was evaluated.

RESULTS

Eight hundred five patients were finally included in the analysis and 75 (9.3%) patients suffered from POP. Age, CI, COPD, WBC, HB, GLU, STB, GLOB, Ka+ which are used as features to build machine learning models. By evaluating the model's AUC value, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Kappa value, MCC value, Brier score value, calibration curve, and DCA curve, the model constructed by XGBoost algorithm has the best and near-perfect performance.

CONCLUSION

The machine learning model we created is ideal for detecting elderly patients at high risk of POP after HF at an early stage.

Is there a time when we should treat a fresh hip fracture in a physiologically elder patient with palliative care?

HISTORY - A 92-year-old female patient presents to the Emergency Room with a displaced intertrochanteric hip fracture after a fall from bed. She lives in a full care nursing home with severe dementia and wears an adult diaper. She does not walk anymore (for 3 months) and the family decision makers (they have power of attorney) have decided that she is not a surgical candidate except under extreme circumstance. Medically, she has moderate aortic regurgitation and a long history of chronic pulmonary fibrosis that has required occasional oxygen supplementation. She has Type 2 diabetes and takes oral meds for this. She has swallowing difficulties and eats mostly pureed food. She only communicates when she has pain and does not recognize her family when they visit. Her hemoglobin and electrolytes are within normal limits. Her vitals are stable, and she is mildly hypertensive.

Percutaneous bone adhesive application for Jones fracture “at-risk” of nonunion or delayed union: a hypothesis

Background

Bone adhesives have been on the forefront of orthopedic surgery research for decades due to the potential benefit they may have in fracture management. Current publications and research being conducted on bone adhesive could be applied to our current hypothesis for the benefit of a novel minimally invasive treatment option for a select cohort of fractures, Jones fractures. The select fracture’s gold standard of treatment would be nonoperative, but with risk of complications including nonunion and delayed union.

Presentation of hypothesis

We hypothesize that percutaneous application of bone adhesive will provide an additional treatment option for fracture patterns that do not require operative fixation, but would benefit from additional stability. The primary outcome measures would be (1) duration of time required for bony consolidation (defined as 3 of 4 bridging cortices) and (2) duration of absenteeism (inability to work), and pain levels within the first week after the procedure. Secondary outcome measures would be the incidence of nonunion or delayed union. We hypothesize that the select bone adhesive would accelerate bony consolidation, decrease absenteeism, decrease pain levels within the first week after procedure, and decrease the incidence of delayed union and/or nonunion.

Testing of hypothesis

We propose a prospective multicenter, randomized, and open label trial clinical trial to test the bone adhesive via percutaneous injection into acute non-displaced or minimally displaced Jones fractures.

Implications of hypothesis

Bone adhesives are a new frontier in treatment of fractures, currently in laboratory and animal testing phases. The appropriate bone adhesive formula has not been approved for clinical trial use, but the implications of the bone adhesive may go beyond decreased complications and ease of stabilizing a select cohort of closed fractures. With the injectable compound illustrated (Fig. 1), the adhesive could be applied percutaneously in hopes of achieving improved outcomes compared to non-operative treatment. The overall goal of the clinical trial is to provide patients a safe treatment option for improved bone union rates of nonoperative fractures compared to the current gold standard management of the same fracture with earlier pain control, early bony consolidation and lower risk of delayed union/nonunion. The ideal patient population for use of a percutaneous bone adhesive in future studies would be for those with multiple medical comorbidities for whom surgical risks outweigh the benefits, in addition to patients at high risk for nonunion based on fracture pattern or systemic biology.

Thigh Pain and Peri-Implant Fractures with the Use of Short Cephalo-medullary Nails: A Retrospective Study of 122 Patients

Introduction

To assess the incidence and causes of persistent thigh pain and peri-implant fractures after union in patients of intertrochanteric fractures treated with short cephalo-medullary nails.

Materials and methods

A retrospective observational study conducted at a Level 1 Trauma centre. A total of 122 patients of intertrochanteric fractures who were operated using short cephalo-medullary nails (170mm and 200mm lengths) between January 2018 to June 2019 were included in the study. Main outcomes measured were the incidence of thigh pain and peri-implant fractures.

Results

Out of the 122 patients with a mean follow-up of 14.1 month, 12 patients had persistent thigh pain. Six patients had the helical blade protruding from the lateral cortex, two of them had distal tip of nail abutting on the anterior cortex and four cases had prominent proximal segment of nail which may explain the cause of their pain. Five of these patients had a combination of these findings. Two patients had pain for which no other obvious cause was found. There were no cases of peri-implant fractures in our study.

Conclusion

Thigh pain associated with the use of short cephalon-medullary nails is often unrelated to nail length and can be prevented by using proper surgical technique. There seems to be no association between the use of short nails and peri-implant fractures.

Debilitating Fracture Hampering the Regular Chores of an 80-Year-Old Female and the Post-operative Rehabilitation for the Same: A Case Report

In the geriatric population, intertrochanteric fractures are exceptionally high because they have osteoporosis. Extracapsular fractures of the proximal section of the femur are known as intertrochanteric fractures. The surgical intervention combined with physiotherapy aids in the achievement of functional objectives. After a fall in the restroom, an X-ray revealed an intertrochanteric fracture of the left hip in an 80-year-old female patient. The concern regarding the surgical intervention was the age and associated co-morbidities. The patient was given physiotherapy for ten weeks after surgical intervention and skeletal traction, which comprised the multidisciplinary approach. The intervention is substantially directed toward balance retraining and improving functional independence. The case report suggests that a structured physiotherapy rehabilitation protocol improved the patient's functional abilities and successful recovery.

Outcomes After Definitive Surgery for Nonagenarians with Isolated Hip Fractures within 24 hours of Admission

BACKGROUND

Isolated hip fractures are a common orthopedic injury in the elderly population. Estimates are that there will be over 21 million hip fractures globally by 2050. Current recommendations are early operative fixation within 48 hours. Despite evidence showing that fixation of hip fractures within 24 hours is beneficial in the elderly population, the effect this has on the nonagenarian population has yet to be examined.

METHODS

This is a single institution retrospective cohort study examining isolated hip fractures from 2014 to 2020 from an American College of Surgeons verified trauma center. Patients ≥65 years old with IHF were included. A total number of 1150 isolated hip fracture patients 65 years or older were included in this study. Three cohorts were examined: (1) patients ≥90 years old; (2) patients 65-89 years old; and (3) patients stratified by ≥90 vs 65-75 years old and ≥90 vs 75-89 years old. Patients were then sub stratified by timing of surgery whether it was performed ≤24 hours or >24 hours. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality.

RESULTS

Nonagenarians who had delayed surgery had higher mortality rates compared to nonagenarians with early surgery (15.2% vs 4.2%; P = .02). Patients aged 65-75 had higher complication rates with delayed surgery (12.9% vs 4.1%; P = .01) as did those aged 76-89 (9.0% vs 3.2%, P = .004).

DISCUSSION

Early surgical intervention of isolated hip fractures in the nonagenarian population within 24 hours is associated with good clinical outcomes as well as a lower inpatient mortality that approaches significance.

Evaluation of Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block for Analgesic Effect in Elderly Patients with Femoral Neck Fracture Undergoing Hip Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

For evaluating pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block's analgesic effect on elderly patients suffering from femoral neck fracture undergoing hip arthroplasty to provide a basis for optimizing perioperative analgesia in hip arthroplasty.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients undergoing hip arthroplasty with spinal anesthesia for femoral neck fracture in our hospital were chosen in this study. Based on the random number table method, patients were categorized into the following two groups (n = 24 per group): the hip peripheral nerve group block group (PE group) and the iliac fascia block group (FI group). The fascia iliaca compartment block was used in the FI group, whereas the pericapsular nerve group block in the PE group. When placed in the position for spinal anesthesia (T4), we measured dynamic and static visual analog scale (VAS) scores as well as analgesic satisfaction before blockade (T0), along with at 10 min (T1), 20 min (T2), and 30 min postblockade (T3). Sufentanil dosage and effective analgesic pump press number at 6 h (T5), 12 h (T6), 24 h (T7), and 48 h (T8) postoperatively were recorded. In the meantime, the development of related complications was also recorded.

RESULTS

Compared with T0, patients in both groups achieved lower static VAS scores at T1-T4 (P < 0.05) and lower dynamic VAS scores at T2-T4 of the FI group (P < 0.05). Relative to the FI group, both static and dynamic VAS scores at T1-T4 were obviously lower in the PE group (P < 0.05), along with increased dynamic analgesic satisfaction (P < 0.05). Weakness of the quadriceps was observed in seven patients in the FI groups (P < 0.05). No delirium, hematoma, puncture site infection, or nerve injury occurred in either group.

CONCLUSION

The pericapsular nerve group block can provide safe and effective analgesia for elderly patients during the perioperative period of hip arthroplasty, with rapid onset, good analgesic effect, high patient satisfaction, and low complication rate, and is worthy of widespread application. The trial is registered with ChiCTR2100046785.

Outcomes for non-operatively managed fracture neck of femur patients: A single-institution study

BACKGROUND

The majority of neck of femur (NOF) fractures are treated operatively in the United Kingdom. The literature reports the advantages of operative management for these patients. However, whilst a subset is treated non-operatively, there is currently no clear guidance for the selection and subsequent management of these patients. This study aims to explore the incidence, demographics, inpatient stay, use of imaging and outcomes of patients who have non-operatively managed NOF fractures.

METHODS

A 6-year retrospective review (2013-2019) of all non-operatively managed NOF fractures at a tertiary teaching hospital and major trauma centre was conducted. Electronic patient records, radiographs and National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) data were used to obtain information. We noted demographic details, fracture classification, rationale for non-operative management, mortality, clinical frailty score (CFS), use of imaging and analgesia requirements. Patients who were repatriated or transferred to other sites for specialist surgery were excluded.

RESULTS

3.2% (99/3132) of NOF fractures were managed non-operatively. The two commonest reasons for non-operative management were either 'comfortable mobilisation' (n = 44) or 'patient frailty/medically unwell' (n = 50). 74% (37/50) of the patients in whom operative risk was thought to outweigh benefit died within the 30 days of admission and 1-year mortality for this group was 92% (46/50). Of the "comfortable mobilisation" subgroup only 18% (8/44) of this patient subgroup subsequently required surgical intervention for failed non-operative management. The 30-day mortality for this cohort was 6.8% with a 1-year mortality rate of 25% (11/44).

CONCLUSION

For a select group of patients whose fractures are stable enough to allow them to mobilise comfortably, non-operative management resulted in a 25% 1-year mortality rate and average length of stay of 10.1 days. This is comparable to statistics for overall NOF fracture management in the literature according to the NHFD January 2021 report. 82% of this group of patients were successfully managed without an operation indicating that there is a place for the consideration of non-operative management in a small select subgroup of hip fracture patients with minimally displaced, stable fractures. Further analysis is necessary to assess the functional outcomes of this subgroup, as well as the potential cost implications.

Trauma Risk Score Matching for Observational Studies in Orthopedic Trauma

OBJECTIVES

To determine if matching by trauma risk score is non-inferior to matching by chronic comorbidities and/or a combination of demographic and patient characteristics in observational studies of acute trauma in a hip fracture model.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study SETTING: Level-1 Trauma Center PATIENTS: 1,590 hip fracture [AO/OTA 31A and 31B] patients age 55 and over treated between October 2014 and February 2020 at 4 hospitals within a single academic medical center.

INTERVENTION

Repeatedly matching randomized subsets of patients by (1) Score for Trauma Triage in Geriatric and Middle-Aged (STTGMA), (2) Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), or (3) a combination of sex, age, CCI and body mass index (BMI).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

"Matching failures" where rate of significant differences in variables of matched cohorts exceeds the 5% expected by chance.

RESULTS

STTGMA and combination matching resulted in no "matching failures". Matching by CCI alone resulted in "matching failures" of BMI, ASA class, STTGMA, major complications, sepsis, pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, and 90-day readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

STTGMA matching in observational cohort studies is less likely to yield significant differences of demographics and outcomes than CCI matching. STTGMA matching is noninferior to matching a combination of demographic variables optimized for each treatment cohort. STTGMA matching is apt to reflect equipoise of health at admission and outcome likelihood in observational cohort studies of orthopedic trauma, while maintaining consistent weighting of demographic and injury characteristic variables that may expand the generalizability of these studies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Operative Management of Hip Fractures Within 24 Hours in the Elderly is Achievable and Associated With Reduced Opiate Use

Introduction

Morbidity and mortality benefits have been associated with prompt surgical treatment of geriatric hip fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of early (≤24 hr) vs delayed (>24 hr) time to operating room (TTOR) on 1) hospital length of stay and 2) total and post-operative opiate use in geriatric hip fractures.

Materials and Methods

This study was a retrospective review of patients ≥65 years-old at the time of admission for surgery for hip fracture at a Level II academic trauma center. Outcome measures were length of stay (LOS), oral morphine equivalents (OME) throughout hospitalization. Patients were stratified into early and delayed TTOR groups and comparisons were made between groups.

Results

Between the early (n = 75, 80.6%) and late (n = 18, 19.4%) groups, there were no differences in age, fracture pattern, type of treatment, preoperative opiate use, and perioperative non-oral pain management. The early group trended toward shorter total LOS (108.0 ± 67.2 hours vs 144.8 ± 103.7 hours, P = .066), but not post-operative LOS. Total OME usage was less in the early intervention group (92.5 ± 188.0 vs 230.2 ± 296.7, P = .015), in addition to reduced post-operative OME (81.3 ± 174.9 vs 213.3 ± 271.3, P = .012). There were no differences in evaluated potential delay sources such as primary language, use of surrogate decision makers, or need for advanced imaging.

Discussion

Surgical treatment of geriatric hip/femur fractures in ≤24 hours from presentation is achievable and may be associated with reduced total inpatient opiate use, although daily use did not differ.

Conclusion

Establishing institutional TTOR goals as part of an interdisciplinary hip fracture co-management clinical pathway can facilitate prompt care and contribute to recovery and less opiate use in these patients with highly morbid injuries.

Conservative Treatment of a Nondisplaced Intertrochanteric Femur Fracture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

A 21-year-old otherwise healthy male sustained a nondisplaced, intertrochanteric fracture of the left femur after being "rear-ended" by a motor vehicle while riding his bicycle. His fracture was managed with protected weight-bearing and progressive mobilization. No traction was utilized. The patient had an excellent clinical outcome at two-year follow-up, reporting modified Harris Hip Score 85, Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living 88, Hip Outcome Score-Sport Specific 89, and International Hip Outcome Tool-33 of 77.

CONCLUSION

Nonsurgical treatment, consisting of restricted weight-bearing, for non-displaced intertrochanteric femur fracture in young, healthy patients can provide a successful result.Level of Evidence: V.

Nonoperative management of hip fractures in very frail elderly patients may lead to a predictable short survival as part of advance care planning

Background and purpose - Surgical treatment is still the mainstay of care even in very frail elderly hip fracture patients. However, one may argue whether surgery is in the best interest of all patients. We elucidated mortality rates of nonoperative management (NOM) of a hip fracture after shared decision-making in a cohort of very frail elderly patients.Patients and methods - Orthogeriatric patients (age > 70 years) admitted with a hip fracture between 2011 and 2019 were included. In the presence of fragility features the motivation for surgery or NOM was supported by advance care planning (ACP) and shared decision-making through geriatric assessment. Mortality rates after NOM were assessed and also presented for the remaining surgical group for reference.Results - In 1,279 out of 3,467 patients, geriatric assessment was indicated and subsequently 1,188 (93%) had surgery versus 91 (7%) NOM. The motivation for NOM was based on patient and family preferences in only 20% of patients, medical grounds in 54%, and a combination of both in 26%. The 30-day and 1-year mortality in the frail NOM group was 87% and 99% respectively, whereas this was 7% and 28% in the surgery group. No statistical comparison between groups was performed due to profound bias by indication.Interpretation - This study provides further insight into the predictable and high short-term mortality after NOM in carefully selected very frail elderly hip fracture patients. This information may help to consider NOM as an alternative treatment option to surgery when no significant gain from surgery is anticipated.

Revisiting Pauwels' classification of femoral neck fractures

Pauwels' femoral neck fracture classification is based on the biomechanical principle that shear stress and varus force increase along more vertically oriented fractures, resulting in higher risk of fracture displacement and ultimately nonunion. This principle continues to guide construct selection for femoral neck fracture internal fixation and is the foundation for treating non-union with valgus osteotomy. However, with poor inter- and intra-rater reliability, dated treatment recommendations, and unreliable prognostic value, the Pauwels classification cannot be directly applied in its entirety to the management of femoral neck fractures in modern practice.

Effect of Nonsurgical Versus Surgical Management on Geriatric Hip Fracture Mortality of Hispanic-American Male Veterans

Introduction

The effect of surgical vs nonsurgical management on hip fracture mortality of Hispanic-American male veterans has not been rigorously studied. Hence, we examined the mortality and life expectancy effect of nonsurgical vs surgical management after hip fracture in a geriatric Hispanic-American male veterans’ population.

Material and Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of Hispanic-American male veterans who were 65 years of age or older and suffered a femoral neck or intertrochanteric fracture from January 2008 to December 2015. Analysis between a surgical cohort (cannulated screw fixation, hemiarthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, or cephalomedullary nail) and a non-surgical cohort was performed. In-hospital, 30-day, one-year, and two-year mortality were compared between both groups.

Results

Out of 268 patients with hip fracture, 159 (59.2%) were treated surgically and 109 (40.8%) non-surgically. The overall in-hospital (9.2% vs 1.9%, P = .009), 30-day (17.4% vs 5.0%, P = .002), one-year (48.6% vs 23.3%, P < .001), and two-year (63.3% vs 36.5%, P < .001) mortality rate was found to be higher for the nonoperative group. The average life expectancy of the nonoperative cohort was significantly shorter than those who were managed surgically (216 days vs 260 days, P < .001).

Discussion and Conclusion

This study shows a higher mortality rate and lower life expectancy in geriatric male patients who were treated nonsurgically in a Veterans Health Affair hospital facility that mostly serves Hispanic-American veterans. Our results provide an expansion to the findings of other geriatric studies on hip fracture with focus in a Hispanic-American veteran male population.

A Culture Change in Geriatric Traumatology: Holistic and Patient-Tailored Care for Frail Patients with Fractures

Medical decision-making for frail geriatric trauma patients is complex, especially toward the end of life. The goal of this paper is to review aspects of end-of-life decision-making, such as frailty, cognitive impairment, quality of life, goals of care, and palliative care. Additionally, we make recommendations for composing a patient-tailored treatment plan. In doing so, we seek to initiate the much-needed discussion regarding end-of-life care for frail geriatric patients.

Improving outcomes after hip fracture at a safety net hospital with a standardised hip fracture protocol

INTRODUCTION

standardised protocols for the care of geriatric hip fractures demonstrate improved patient outcomes with decreased cost. The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes of a standardised hip fracture protocol at an urban safety-net hospital.

METHODS

All trauma patients presenting to our urban safety-net hospital are included in a trauma database and inpatient outcomes recorded. A hip fracture protocol was introduced at our institution in 2015, which depended on admission to a monitored setting due to the absence of a geriatric co-management service. The database was queried to identify patients surgically treated for a geriatric hip fracture in the 3 years prior to protocol implementation (2012-2014) and patients treated in the 3 years following protocol implementation (2016-2018). Demographics, time to surgery, inpatient complications, and length of stay were compared between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 633 patients treated operatively for isolated hip fractures were identified, 262 patients in the 2012-2014 pre-protocol cohort, and 371 patients in the 2016-2018 protocol cohort. Following implementation of a hip fracture protocol the number of patients admitted to a surgical service increased from 198 (76%) to 348 (94%, p < 0.005) with the number of patients being admitted to a monitored setting increasing from 40 (15%) to 83 (22%, p = 0.026). The time to surgery was reduced to 2.75 days (p = 0.054). The complication rate fell from 23% to 4% (p < 0.0005). Length of stay was significantly reduced from 13.2 days to 12 days (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

A hip fracture protocol including admission to a monitored setting can be effectively implemented at an urban safety-net hospital where geriatric co-management is not available. This resulted in a decrease in complications and length of stay. Additional interventions are required to decrease average time to surgery below 36 hours.

Additional use of anti-rotation U-blade (RC) decreases lag screw sliding and limb length inequality in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures

The purpose of this study is to compare the cut-out rate and sliding distance associated with limb length inequality between operations using a standard non-sliding lag screw versus those using a non-sliding lag screw with U-blade (RC) in the Gamma3 nail. This is a retrospective review of two case series involving different lag screws for the Gamma3 nail. Propensity score matching analysis was used to adjust the confounding factors. A comparative analysis of 304 patients who treated with Gamma3 nail with either a standard non-sliding lag screw or a U-Blade (RC) lag screw was performed. Between 2014 and 2018, 152 patients were treated with U-blade (RC) lag screws, and these patients were matched with those treated with standard lag screws. There was no significant difference in cut-out rate between groups. However, additional use of anti-rotation U-blade (RC) could significantly decrease lag screw sliding, with the group treated with U-Blade (RC) lag screws exhibiting shorter sliding, especially in AO/OTA31 A2 and A3 fractures. Also, in A2 and A3 fractures, the mean lag screw sliding distance was greater than that seen in A1 fractures in both groups. These findings can help trauma surgeons choose the proper implant to reduce leg length inequality.

Evidence-based approach to providing informed consent for hip fracture surgery during the COVID-19 era

BACKGROUND

Hip fractures are the most common reason for inpatient orthopaedic trauma admission. Urgent surgical intervention for hip fractures has remained a clinical priority throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite this, there is a paucity of clinical guidance addressing the informed consent process for hip fracture surgery in COVID-19 positive patients. This is of paramount medicolegal importance in a high-risk patient population.

AIM

To quantify the additional perioperative risks for COVID-19 positive patients undergoing hip fracture surgery and provide clinicians with an evidence-based framework to establish an informed consent process.

METHODS

Two hundred and fifty nine consecutive patients undergoing surgical intervention for hip fractures in four hospitals in the United Kingdom were recruited. 51 patients were confirmed positive for COVID-19. Predefined outcomes were analyzed over a 30-d postoperative period. COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative patients were compared after adjustment for confounding factors.

RESULTS

COVID-19 positive patients had more intensive care admissions (27% vs 5%, P < 0.001), longer inpatient stays (median 23 d vs 9 d, P < 0.001) and a higher 30-d mortality (29% vs 10%, P = 0.001) than COVID-19 negative patients. Postoperative complications were evident in 74.5% of COVID-19 positive patients. 35.3% of COVID-19 positive patients suffered postoperative lower respiratory tract infections with 13.7% developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and 9.8% experiencing symptomatic thromboembolic events.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty in the medical community worldwide and poses unique challenges in providing informed consent for surgery. COVID-19 positive patients undergoing hip fracture surgery should be consented for the additional risk of postoperative complications (including lower respiratory tract infection, ARDS, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), increased requirement for intensive care admission, longer inpatient stay and higher risk of mortality. Further, clinicians must be transparent about the potential for unknown risks as research into the long-term surgical outcomes of COVID-19 positive patients continues to evolve.

Functional Outcomes of Patients with Schizophrenia After Hip Fracture Surgery: A 1-Year Follow-up from an Institutional Hip Fracture Registry

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia impairs a patient's self-care abilities, which are crucial after a hip fracture. Studies on the outcomes of patients with schizophrenia after a hip fracture are dated. This study aims to investigate the complication rates, 1-year mortality, and functional outcomes of surgically managed hip fractures in elderly patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, single-institution cohort study based on a prospectively maintained registry of patients with hip fracture. In this study, 3,056 patients who were ≥60 years of age were treated under a geriatric-orthopaedic hip fracture pathway from January 2014 to December 2018. Baseline demographic characteristics and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scores were obtained at admission and at 6 months and 1 year after the fracture. Complications from the fracture and the surgical procedure were recorded during a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. A matching process (based on age, sex, and the MBI at admission) of up to 6 patients without schizophrenia per 1 patient with schizophrenia was utilized to increase power. Differences in perioperative, 6-month, and 1-year outcomes were compared for significance among surgically managed patients with schizophrenia and patients without schizophrenia.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients with schizophrenia were compared with 170 geriatric patients without schizophrenia who underwent a surgical procedure for a hip fracture. Patients with schizophrenia were more likely to be institutionalized postoperatively (26.3% compared with 4.7%; p < 0.001). Patients with schizophrenia had poorer MBI scores at 12 months (76 compared with 90 points; p = 0.006). The 1-year mortality rate was comparable (p = 0.29) between patients with schizophrenia (5.7%) and those without schizophrenia (2.4%). Similar trends in MBI were observed in the conservatively managed group of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no increase in postoperative complications after a surgical procedure for a hip fracture in elderly patients with schizophrenia. The 1-year mortality after a surgical procedure for hip fracture is similar in both patients with schizophrenia and those without schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia and hip fracture who were surgically managed had poorer 1-year functional outcomes compared with patients without schizophrenia matched for age, sex, and MBI at admission. This information will be useful in shared decision-making discussions with patients and families.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Predicting in-hospital mortality for dementia patients after hip fracture surgery - A comparison between the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index

BACKGROUND

Considerable in-hospital mortality was reported in geriatric patients with dementia sustaining femoral neck or inter-trochanteric fracture. We intended to establish a predictive model of in-hospital mortality for dementia patients after hip fracture surgery.

METHODS

We collected 8080 registrants ≧ 65 years old from the subset (LHID2000) of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) that met the following inclusion criteria:1. Admitted with the ICD of hip fracture; 2. Underwent operation of hip fracture during the same hospitalization; 3. Co-existing diagnosis of dementia (ICD-9-CM codes 290). The co-morbidity was recorded according to validated Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) from the diagnoses of hospitalization. The main outcome measure was in-hospital mortality that was defined as death being reported during hospitalization. The comparison of predictability was conducted by Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) among different predictive models.

RESULTS

The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) score showed similar ability in predicting in-hospital mortality (AUC = 0.653, 95% CI = 0.611-0.695 for CCI; AUC = 0.624, 95% CI = 0.582-0.665 for ECI, p = 0.0717). By adding age grouping (≥80 yrs = 1, 65-80 yrs = 0) and gender difference (Male = 1, Female = 0), these two models were shifted to models CCI_new1 and ECI_new1. Consequently, the AUC greatly increased in the CCI_new1 (AUC = 0.682, 95% CI = 0.643-0.722). It therefore provided better prediction of in-hospital mortality than ECI_new1 (AUC = 0.651, 95% CI = 0.611-0.691) (p = 0.0444).

CONCLUSIONS

Utilizing the CCI with addition of grouping for age and gender provides a better prediction for in-hospital mortality than the ECI among elderly patients with concomitant dementia and hip fracture who underwent surgical intervention.

Mortality rates and risk factors after low-trauma hip fracture in the largest university center in Romania

We calculated in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year mortality rates and analyzed potential mortality risk factors in 2742 patients with low-trauma hip fractures. We found a high mortality rate at 30 days and 1 year after hip fracture. The high mortality can be explained by a very high number of conservatively treated fractures.

PURPOSE

Data on mortality after low-trauma hip fracture in Romania is scarce and comes from a single-hospital study. Our aim was to calculate mortality rates and risk factors in all patients admitted for low-trauma hip fracture in the largest university medical center of Romania.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the charts of all patients (>40 years old) admitted for hip fracture in a 12-month period in hospitals with an Orthopedic Department in Bucharest, Romania, and surrounding Ilfov County and calculated the crude in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year mortality rates after low-trauma hip fractures. A number of potential clinical risk factors for mortality were evaluated.

RESULTS

We analyzed 2742 low-trauma hip fractures. The in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year all-cause mortality rates were 4.26% (n=117), 9.59% (n=263), and 29.72% (n=815) respectively. Four hundred and fifty (16.41%) fractures were managed conservatively with a 1-year mortality HR of 3.05 (p<0.001) compared to surgically treated fractures. The 1-year mortality rate in conservatively treated fractures was 56.44% compared to 24.47% in surgically treated fractures. Age, male sex, length of stay in hospital, day of surgery, post-surgical complications, and late surgery were significantly associated (p<0.001) with mortality after hip fracture. The lowest 1-year mortality rate was in surgically treated patients with a length of stay in hospital between 6 and 10 days.

CONCLUSION

We found a high mortality rate at 30 days and 1 year after low-trauma hip fracture. The high mortality rates can be attributable, in part, to the high number of conservatively treated fractures.

Treatment of Traumatic Femoral Neck Fractures with an Intramedullary Nail in Osteoporotic Bones

PURPOSE

Sufficient anchoring of intramedullary osteosynthesis in the femoral head in a femoral neck fracture is a challenge with increasing age of the patients and decreasing bone quality. For older patients with inferior bone quality, it has not been investigated whether the application of an intramedullary force carrier, as a minimally invasive and rapid intervention, can provide a considerable benefit and reduce the postoperative complication and lethality rate. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the stability and functionality after the acute treatment of a femoral neck fracture in osteoporotic bone using an intramedullary force carrier even with higher grade fracture types.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The retrospective analysis was based on a collective of 82 patients over 60 years of age with a femoral neck fracture treated with a gliding nail in our centre between 1999 and 2006.

RESULTS

The average time to follow-up was 69.05 months (median 71.0; minimum 27.0-maximum 108.0). Female patients made up more than two-thirds of the patient collective at 63 of the 82 patients (76.83%). The average age of the patients was 77.76 years (median 78.00; range 60.00-93.00).In 66 patients (80.49%), the implantation showed good results and no complications or further treatments. 24/82 patients of our collective had died in our re-evaluation. In no case, a pseudarthrosis or severe impaction with neck shortening occurred (loss of offset).11/82 patients had femoral head necrosis which led to total hip replacement in 8 cases, a hemiarthroplasty in 2 cases and in 1 case a remaining Girdlestone situation because of a deep infection. Another five patients also had to undergo a total hip replacement because of a central perforation of the blade in one case, breakout of the blade after another fall in another two cases and a lateral dislocation of the blade in two cases.

CONCLUSION

The use of an intramedullary force carrier in the osteoporotic bone can mean distinct advantages for the selected patient as a minimally invasive and rapid surgical method compared to extensive surgery, even in the case of severe injuries. However, the advantages and disadvantages for the patient should be considered critically.

Outcome of nonoperative treatment for hip fractures in elderly patients: A systematic review of recent literature

Many studies have shown that surgical management still leads to the best outcomes in elderly patients with hip fractures, with some studies showing non-inferiority of nonsurgical management as compared to surgery in fragility fractures. Evidence-based guidelines on whether to operate on these patients are lacking. A systematic literature search was conducted regarding outcomes of nonoperatively treated hip fractures in elderly patients with various comorbidities. A structured literature review of multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane library) referenced articles from 2000 to 2020. A total of 596 patients from 11 published studies were identified. Mean age was 83.3 years. Overall 328 (69.7%) complications occurred in 470 patients with nonsurgical treatment. Pneumonia and urinary tract infections were the most common complications which occurred in 53 (16.1%) and 46 (14.0%) patients, respectively. Hip fracture patients who were treated nonoperatively had a higher in-hospital (17.1% vs. 4.4%; p < 0.001), 30-day (31.4% vs. 10.2%; p < 0.001), and 1-year (48.5% vs. 19.9%; p < 0.001) mortality compared to a matched group of operatively treated patients (n = 1464). Of the 110 patients whose reported cause of death was nonoperative care, 44 (40%) was due to pneumonia. Patients with nonoperative treatment following hip fracture were associated with substantially higher complication and mortality compared with patients who were treated operatively. Our study will help health-care providers and caregivers to enable more informed decision-making for families and patients confronted with a hip fracture.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mortality of the elderly patient with a hip fracture

COVID-19 became a threat to the public health system, compromising the health of the population. Patients with hip fractures, due to their age and comorbidity, were high-risk patients in this pandemic. The purpose of this study was to observe how the pandemic affected the management of hip fractures in elderly patients.

Methods

This is a descriptive, retrospective study of all patients over the age of 65 diagnosed with a hip fracture that came to the emergency room of Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in the COVID-19 pandemic period, from the 11th of March to the 24th of April 2020. They were followed up during their hospital stay and 30 days after the fracture.

Results

A total of 63 patients were included, 18 (28.6%) of whom had a positive RT-qPCR for COVID-19. Four could not be operated on due to the severity of the disease they presented with upon admission, dying a few days afterwards. Three of these patients had COVID-19. The 83.3% of the patients with positive RT-qPCR presented respiratory symptoms during their hospitalization. The length of hospital stays of patients with a positive RT-qPCR (18.25 ± 8.99 days) was longer than that of patients that were RT-qPCR negative (10.9 ± 4.52 days) (p = .01). In-hospital mortality in operated patients was 20% in patients with a positive RT-qPCR, compared with 2.3% in the group of patients who tested negative (p = .018). Mortality at 30 days was 40% in the group with positive RT-qPCR vs 6.8% in patients not infected by SARS-CoV-2 (p = .002).

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 infection in elderly patients with hip fractures increases both the length of hospital stay, as well as in-hospital and 30-day mortality.

Optimal Technical Factors During Operative Management of Low-Energy Femoral Neck Fractures

OBJECTIVE

To determine if cancellous screw (CS) and sliding hip screw (SHS) technical factors during low-energy femoral neck fracture fixation affects a 24-month revision surgery rate and health-related quality of life (HRQL).

DESIGN

Prospective randomized controlled study.

SETTING

International, multicenter.

PATIENTS

Eight hundred ninety-eight femoral neck fracture patients age 50 years and older.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomized to fracture stabilization with either CSs or a SHS device as part of the Fixation Using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip Fractures (FAITH) trial. CS technical factors analyzed included screw diameter, short versus long screw threads, screw number and formation, screw orientation, and washer use. SHS technical factors studied were side plate length, supplemental screw use, lag screw position, and tip-apex distance.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Revision surgeries within 24 months to promote fracture healing, relieve pain, treat infection, or improve function. In addition, HRQL measures were collected, including the SF-12 Physical Component Score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.

RESULTS

The 3-screw inverted triangle pattern had a significantly lower revision surgery rate than a 3-screw triangle formation (P = 0.004). No other CS or SHS technical factors were predictive of revision surgery or affected a patient's HRQL (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A 3-screw inverted triangle pattern was superior to a 3-screw triangle formation. However, injury and patient factors such as fracture displacement, age, smoking status and sex play a more significant role in clinical outcomes for low-energy femoral neck fracture treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Subtrochanteric femur fractures: current review of management

Subtrochanteric (ST) femur fractures are proximal femur fractures, which are often difficult to manage effectively because of their deforming anatomical forces.

Operative management of ST fractures is the mainstay of treatment, with the two primary surgical implant options being intramedullary (IM) nails and extramedullary plates.

Of these, IM nails have a biologic and biomechanical superiority, and have become the gold standard for ST femur fractures.

The orthopaedic surgeon should become familiar and facile with several reduction techniques to create anatomical alignment in all unique ST fracture patterns.

This article presents a comprehensive and current review of the epidemiology, anatomy, biomechanics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of subtrochanteric femur fractures.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:145-151. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200048

Analysis of factors among 30-day and 1-year mortality rates in patients with borderline stable-unstable intertrochanteric hip fracture

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of surgical procedures on mortality and to identify the possible risk factors for mortality in the management of geriatric hip fractures.

METHODS

A total of 191 patients (105 women and 86 men; mean age 82.26±9.681 [60-108] years) with AO/OTA 31A2.2 intertrochanteric fractures and treated with sliding hip screw, proximal femoral nail, or hemiarthroplasty were included in this retrospective cohort study. The treatment type was decided by the responsible surgeon according to the patients' pre-injury activity level, bone quality, and features of the fracture. Age, sex, type of fracture, type of surgery performed, American society of anesthesiology (ASA) grade, type of anesthesia, time to surgery, type of physical therapy, length of hospital stay, and number of comorbidities were documented. We evaluated the 30-day and 1-year mortality of patients treated with sliding hip screw (SHS), proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFN-A), or hemiarthroplasty and identified the possible risk factors for mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 49 patients underwent SHS, 58 underwent PFN-A, and 84 underwent hemiarthroplasty. Of these, 2 patients with SHS, 2 with PFN-A, and 11 with hemiarthroplasty died within 30 days after surgery, whereas 7 patients with SHS, 15 with PFN-A, and 23 with hemiarthroplasty died 1 year after surgery. The 30-day and 1-year overall mortality rates were 7.9% and 23.6%, respectively. Both the 30-day and 1-year mortality risks were higher in patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty than in patients undergoing SHS (p=0.068 versus 0.058). The 30-day mortality was higher in patients receiving general anesthesia than in those receiving combined spinal and epidural anesthesia (p=0.009). The 1-year mortality risk was higher in patients with ASA grade 4 than in those with grade 1 and 2 (p=0.045). Advanced age (p=0.022) and male sex (p=0.007) were also found to be the risk factors for 1-year mortality.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that higher ASA grade, male sex, general anesthesia, and hemiarthroplasty procedures are associated with higher mortality rates in elderly patients with hip fractures. Thus, we highly recommend orthopedic surgeons to consider all these factors in the management of intertrochanteric hip fractures in the geriatric population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Prognostic Study.

Early mortality after hip fracture surgery in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the risk of early mortality in hip fracture patients with COVID-19 infection who undergo surgical intervention.

Data sources

MEDLINE (PubMed) and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) databases.

Study selection

Studies were included in the systematic review if they reported postoperative mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection who underwent operative intervention for hip fracture. From this selection of studies, only investigations that reported postoperative mortality in a COVID-positive and a non-COVID group were included in the meta-analysis.

Data extraction

Data regarding patient demographics, age, and sex were recorded. Additional data that was extracted included study location, data collection period, length of follow-up, COVID testing methodology, COVID testing results, and number of patients who underwent operative versus nonoperative management. The primary outcome of interest was postoperative mortality.

Data synthesis

Random effects meta-analyses were performed to assess the pooled relative risk of postoperative mortality according to COVID status. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Conclusions

The overall pooled mortality rate in the early postoperative period for hip fracture patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection was 32.6%. The relative risk for postoperative mortality in COVID-positive patients compared to non-COVID patients was 5.66 (95% CI 4.01–7.98; p < 0.001). The currently available literature demonstrates that COVID-19 infection represents a substantial risk factor for early postoperative mortality in the already susceptible hip fracture population. Further investigations will be needed to assess longer-term morbidity and mortality in this patient population.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic Level IV.

Prognosis of nonoperative treatment in elderly patients with a hip fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Hip fractures in frail elderly patients are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Surgery remains the predominant treatment of choice, despite the poor prognosis. Limited research has been done with regards to nonoperative management of frail elderly patients with a hip fracture and therefore the natural course is relatively unknown. This systematic review aimed to provide an overview of the prognosis of nonoperative management in frail elderly patients with a hip fracture in terms of mortality, complications, mobility, and quality of life (QoL).

DESIGN

A systematic review of the literature was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed. The primary outcome measurement was 30-days mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 4,318 studies were screened. In total eighteen studies matched the eligibility criteria; with low to moderate quality. Approximately two-thirds of the patients were managed nonoperatively due to medical reasons and one-third due to non-medical reasons. Pooled mortality rates after 30 days, six months and one year were 36%, 46%, and 60%, respectively. 33% of the patients developed in-hospital complications. At six months post trauma, 9.6% of the patients were able to mobilize. Data on quality of life (QoL), functional outcome, pain, comfort during nursing care, and costs were not reported.

CONCLUSION

Nonoperative management of frail elderly patients with a hip fracture is associated with a poor prognosis. Heterogenous study cohorts and limited outcomes were reported. Current literature shows a lack of evidence of the true prognosis of nonoperative management of frail elderly patient with a hip fracture and a limited life expectancy. Results of this review can be used to aid decision making and improve expectation management.

Management of Traumatology Patients During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Experience in a Hub Trauma Hospital in Northern Italy

BACKGROUND

As a result of the uncontrolled spread of the COVID-19 virus infection, a health reorganization according to the "hub and spoke" model was necessary. The purpose of the article was to document the adopted corporate protocol and describe the management of the traumatized patient in a Hub center.

METHODS

Our hospital has been identified as one of the three regional Hubs for polytrauma and major traumas, requiring suitable pathways to receive confirmed or suspected COVID-19-positive patients, from the emergency room entrance to the operating room, and finally to the inpatient ward or ICU. From February 23th to April 30th 2020 we analyzed the total number of trauma patients hospitalized and the number of femoral neck fractures surgically treated within 48 h; the data were then compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.

RESULTS

There has been a reduction in the overall number of traumas as a result of government restraint measures. Total occupancy time in the operating theater has increased, but not drastically considering dressing procedures and anesthesia (carried out inside the operating room). The number of patients with femoral neck fractures surgically treated within 48 h (none of the COVID-19-positive patients) decreased from 83.33 to 58.70%, but only slightly lower than the Italian pre-COVID average of 64.70%.

CONCLUSIONS

The correct management of the hospital and the meticulous organization of the traumatized patient have made it possible to contain the potential negative effects on the medical care quality during this unexpected and severe health emergency.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mortality of the elderly patient with a hip fracture

La COVID-19 se convirtió en una amenaza para el sistema de salud público, comprometiendo la salud de la población. Los pacientes con fractura de cadera, debido a su edad y comorbilidad, fueron pacientes de alto riesgo en esta pandemia. La finalidad de este estudio fue observar cómo afectó la pandemia al manejo de las fracturas de cadera del paciente anciano.

Métodos

Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de todos los pacientes mayores de 65 años diagnosticados de fractura de cadera que acudieron a urgencias del Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron en el periodo de pandemia COVID-19 comprendido entre el 11 de marzo y el 24 de abril de 2020. Fueron seguidos durante su ingreso hospitalario y a los 30 días de la fractura.

Resultados

Se incluyeron un total de 63 pacientes, 18 (28,6%) de los cuales tenían una RT-qPCR positiva para COVID-19. Cuatro no pudieron ser operados debido a la gravedad que presentaban al ingreso, falleciendo a los pocos días. Tres de estos pacientes tenían la COVID-19. El 83,3% de los pacientes con RT-qPCR positiva presentaron clínica respiratoria durante su hospitalización. La duración de la estancia hospitalaria de los pacientes con RT-qPCR positiva (18,25 ± 8,99 días) fue mayor que los pacientes no COVID (10,9 ± 4,52 días) (p = 0,01). La mortalidad intrahospitalaria de los pacientes intervenidos fue del 20% en los pacientes con RT-qPCR positiva en comparación con el 2,3% del grupo de pacientes que testaron negativo (p = 0,018). La mortalidad a los 30 días fue del 40% en el grupo con RT-qPCR positiva vs. el 6,8% de los pacientes no infectados por SARS-CoV-2 (p = 0,002).

Conclusión

La infección por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes ancianos con fractura de cadera aumenta tanto el tiempo de ingreso hospitalario como la mortalidad intrahospitalaria y a los 30 días.

Thirty-day mortality following surgical management of hip fractures during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a prospective multi-centre UK study

Purpose

Thirty-day mortality of patients with hip fracture is well researched and predictive; validated scoring tools have been developed (Nottingham Hip Fracture Score, NHFS). COVID-19 has significantly greater mortality in the elderly and comorbid patients which includes hip fracture patients. Non-operative treatment is not appropriate due to significantly higher mortality, and therefore, these patients are often exposed to COVID-19 in the peri-operative period. What is unclear is the effect of concomitant COVID-19 infection in these patients.

Methods

A multicentre prospective study across ten sites in the United Kingdom (responsible for 7% of hip fracture patients per annum in the UK). Demographic and background information were collected by independent chart review. Data on surgical factors included American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, time to theatre, Nottingham Hip fracture score (NHFS) and classification of fracture were also collected between 1st March 2020 and 30th April 2020 with a matched cohort from the same period in 2019.

Results

Actual and expected 30-day mortality was found to be significantly higher than expected for 2020 COVID-19 positive patients (RR 3.00 95% CI 1.57–5.75, p < 0.001), with 30 observed deaths compared against the 10 expected from NHFS risk stratification.

Conclusion

COVID-19 infection appears to be an independent risk factor for increased mortality in hip fracture patients. Whilst non-operative management of these fractures is not suggested due to the documented increased risks and mortality, this study provides evidence to the emerging literature of the severity of COVID-19 infection in surgical patients and the potential impact of COVID-19 on elective surgical patients in the peri-operative period.

Medical Comanagement of Hip Fracture Patients Is Not Associated with Superior Perioperative Outcomes: A Propensity Score-Matched Retrospective Cohort Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project

BACKGROUND

Medical comanagement entails a significant commitment of clinical resources with the aim of improving perioperative outcomes for patients admitted with hip fractures. To our knowledge, no national analyses have demonstrated whether patients benefit from this practice.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) targeted user file for hip fracture 2016-2017. Medical comanagement is a dedicated variable in the NSQIP. Propensity score matching was performed to control for baseline differences associated with comanagement. Matched pairs binary logistic regression was then performed to determine the effect of comanagement on the following primary outcomes: mortality and a composite endpoint of major morbidity.

RESULTS

Unadjusted analyses demonstrated that patients receiving medical comanagement were older and sicker with a greater burden of comorbidities. Comanagement did not have a higher proportion of patients participating in a standardized hip fracture program (53.6% vs 53.7%; P > .05). Comanagement was associated with a higher unadjusted rate of mortality (6.9% vs 4.0%, odds ratio [OR] 1.79: 1.44-2.22; P < .0001) and morbidity (19.5% vs 9.6%, OR 2.28: 1.98-2.63; P < .0001). After propensity score matching was used to control for baseline differences associated with comanagement, patients in the comanagement cohort continued to demonstrate inferior mortality (OR 1.36: 1.02-1.81; P = .033) and morbidity (OR 1.82: 1.52-2.20; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis does not provide evidence that dedicated medical comanagement of hip fracture patients is associated with superior perioperative outcomes. Further efforts may be needed to refine opportunities to modify the significant morbidity and mortality that persists in this population.

Mortality Rates of Patients with Proximal Femoral Fracture in a Worldwide Pandemic: Preliminary Results of the Spanish HIP-COVID Observational Study

BACKGROUND

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), in December 2019 in Wuhan, People's Republic of China, has developed into an unprecedented pandemic with enormous pressure on health-care providers around the world. A higher mortality rate has been described in older infected individuals. Patients with hip fracture are a particularly vulnerable population during this pandemic because older age is associated with a higher mortality rate. Our aim was to describe the early mortality rate and demographic variables in a hip fracture sample population in Spain during the coronavirus pandemic.

METHODS

This is a multicenter, observational, retrospective, descriptive study. We collected data from 13 major hospitals in Spain from the beginning of the national state of alarm (declared on March 14, 2020, by the Spanish government) until the end of our study period on April 4, 2020. All patients who were ≥65 years of age, presented to the Emergency Department of the participating hospitals during this period with a diagnosis of proximal femoral fracture, and had a minimum follow-up of 10 days were included in the cohort. In addition to mortality, demographic and other potential prognostic variables were also collected.

RESULTS

In this study, 136 patients with a hip fracture were included. Of these patients, 124 underwent a surgical procedure and 12 were managed nonoperatively. The total mortality rate was 9.6%. Sixty-two patients were tested for COVID-19, with 23 patients being positive. The mortality rate for these 23 patients was 30.4% (7 of 23 patients) at a mean follow-up of 14 days. The mortality rate was 10.3% (4 of 39) for patients who had been tested and had a negative result and 2.7% (2 of 74) for patients who had not been tested. Of the 12 patients who were managed nonoperatively, 8 (67%) died, whereas, of the 124 patients who were surgically treated, 5 (4%) died. Results differed among centers.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a higher mortality rate in patients with a hip fracture and an associated positive test for COVID-19.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.