Hemiarthroplasty through Direct Anterior Approach for Unstable Femoral Intertrochanteric Fractures in the Elderly: Analysis of Early Cases

Posterior Approach and Inferior Capsulotomy in Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fractures: Comparison with Superior Capsulotomy

Background

Hemiarthroplasty is frequently used to treat displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients, but it has a higher risk of postoperative dislocation. We introduced the posterior approach and inferior capsulotomy (PAICO) to enhance joint stability after bipolar hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture. We evaluated whether the PAICO would have a lower dislocation rate than the conventional posterior approach with superior capsulotomy.

Methods

From January 2021 to December 2021, we prospectively recruited 25 patients (25 hips) aged 50 years or older who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures due to low-energy trauma as the PAICO group. We compared the PAICO group with a historical control group who had undergone hemiarthroplasty in 7 institutes between 2010 and 2020. The primary endpoint was dislocation within 1 year after the surgery. We compared data from the PAICO group with the data from the historical control group from the Korean Hip Fracture Registry which was carried out in South Korea.

Results

A total of 25 patients (25 hips) were enrolled in the present study; 3,477 patients (3,571 hips) who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty were reviewed as the historical control group. In the PAICO group, we observed no dislocation, whereas the dislocation rate in the control group was 1.3%.

Conclusions

In patients with displaced femoral neck fractures, the PAICO approach demonstrated comparable results in operation time and complication rates when compared to bipolar hemiarthroplasty using superior capsulotomy. Notably, there were no observed cases of dislocation among patients who underwent the PAICO approach. We recommend this PAICO approach to surgeons using the posterior approach, hoping to prevent dislocation in bipolar hemiarthroplasty.

Should trochanteric fractures in elderly patients be treated by arthroplasty or internal fixation?

Most trochanteric fractures are treated by fixation, most often intramedullary. Nevertheless, the desire to have patients walk as soon as possible and the fear of fixation failure has driven some surgeons to carry out an arthroplasty instead, especially for unstable fractures and/or in patients with severe osteoporosis, in order to avoid the difficult conversion to arthroplasty later on if the fixation fails. The aim of this review was to specify the role, technique and results of performing arthroplasty in this context. In which fractures? Unstable fractures (A2.2, A2.3 and A3), especially in osteoporotic bone, which are the most difficult to reduce and fix, and in cases with associated osteoarthritis. For which patients? Arthroplasty should not be done in patients who have ASA≤3 due to greater blood loss and longer operative time. Since the postoperative Parker score often drops, arthroplasty should not be done in patients having a Parker score<6. What are the technical problems? Arthroplasty must be done by an experienced surgeon because of the lack of anatomical landmarks, although fracture fixation has its own demands (satisfactory reduction, appropriate length and position of cervicocephalic screw). What are the results and complications? Despite several comparative studies (randomized trials, meta-analysis and prospective studies), it is difficult to draw any conclusions. These studies show worse performance of dynamic hip screws relative to intramedullary nails. The complication and revision rates were higher for nails than arthroplasty, but not in every study, while the functional outcomes with nails (with or without immediate weightbearing) were better than those of arthroplasty beyond 6 months. What is the mortality rate? It was lower after nailing in a few studies but was mainly determined by the patient's comorbidities and preoperative Parker score. The best indication for arthroplasty may be self-sufficient patients over 70 years of age who have an unstable fracture with severe osteoporosis. Nevertheless, new studies should be done to compare arthroplasty to nailing with immediate return to weightbearing in patients having the same type of fracture, defined using 3D CT scan. Level of evidence: Expert advice.

A Comparative Study of Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty for Intertrochanteric Fracture: Direct Anterior Approach versus Conventional Posterolateral Approach

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare short-term results from use of the direct anterior approach (DAA) and the conventional posterolateral approach (PLA) in performance of bipolar hemiarthroplasty for treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review of 100 patients with intertrochanteric fractures who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty was conducted. The PLA was used in 50 cases from 2016 to 2019; since that time we have used the DAA in 50 cases from 2019 to 2021. Measurements of mean operative time, blood loss, hospitalization period, and ambulation status, greater trochanter (GT) migration and stem subsidence were performed. And the incidence of complications was examined.

Results

Operative time was 73.60±14.56 minutes in the PLA group and 79.80±8.89 minutes in the DAA group (P<0.05). However, after experiencing 20 cases using DAA, there was no statistically difference in operative time between two groups (P=0.331). Blood loss was 380.76±180.67 mL in the PLA group and 318.14±138.51 mL in the DAA group (P<0.05). The hospitalization was 23.76±11.89 days in the PLA group and 21.45±4.18 days in the DAA group (P=0.207). In both groups, there were no progressive GT migration, intraoperative fractures or dislocations, although there was one case of infection in the PLA group.

Conclusion

Although use of the DAA in performance of bipolar hemiarthroplasty required slightly more time in the beginning compared with the PLA, the DAA may well be an alternative, safe surgical technique as a muscle preserving procedure in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures.

Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty in Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures with an Effective Wiring Technique

Purpose

Bipolar hemiarthroplasty has recently been acknowledged as an effective option for treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fracture. Trochanteric fragment nonunion can cause postoperative weakness of the abductor muscle and dislocation; therefore, reduction and fixation of the fragment is essential. The purpose of this study was to perform an evaluation and analysis of the outcomes of bipolar hemiarthroplasty using a useful wiring technique for management of unstable intertrochanteric fractures.

Materials and Methods

A total of 217 patients who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty using a cementless stem and a wiring technique for management of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures (AO/OTA classification 31-A2) at our hospital from January 2017 to December 2020 were included in this study. Evaluation of clinical outcomes was performed using the Harris hip score (HHS) and the ambulatory capacity reported by patients was classified according to Koval stage at six months postoperatively. Evaluation of radiologic outcomes for subsidence, breakage of wiring, and loosening was also performed using plain radiographs at six months postoperatively.

Results

Among 217 patients, five patients died during the follow-up period as a result of problems unrelated to the operation. The mean HHS was 75±12 and the mean Koval category before the injury was 2.5±1.8. A broken wire was detected around the greater trochanter and lesser trochanter in 25 patients (11.5%). The mean distance of stem subsidence was 2.2±1.7 mm.

Conclusion

Our wiring fixation technique can be regarded as an effective additional surgical option for fixation of trochanteric fracture fragments during performance of bipolar hemiarthroplasty.