Background: Recent studies have shown that local infiltration analgesia (LIA) improves outcome after total hip replacement (THA). No detailed information does exist to its influence on length of stay (LOS) after surgery. In this study we have evaluated LOS, pain treatment, mobilization, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and satisfaction in a period before and after implementing LIA in our department.

Patients and Methods: Patients diagnosed with primary osteoarthrosis of the hip scheduled for unilateral uncemented or hybrid THA were included in the study. All cases were recognized from a local database with prospective collected data on all patients undergoing THA in our department. Total 100 consecutive patients who did not have LIA from September 1st 2006 were compared with 100 consecutive patients who received LIA from September 1st 2007. The two groups were unmatched and no patients were excluded. The solution used for LIA consisted of 200 mg Ropivacain, 30 mg Ketorolac and 1 mg Adrenaline dissolved in 100 ml isotone NaCl.

Results: Patients in the two groups were similar in regard to gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and ASA group, but did differ in duration of the surgical approach, the latter group having treatment with LIA in average had a 20 minuts shorter surgical approach. The patients who received LIA had reduced LOS, mean 3.8 days compared to 5.1 days in the gropu not treated with LIA (p< 0.001). Moreover, patients treated with LIA were significant more satisfied (p< 0.05) compared to the group who did not receive LIA. Moreover, patients treated with LIA were more frequently mobilized on day 1 after surgery (p< 0,001) and day 3 as well (p< 0.05). Also, patients treated with LIA had significantly reduced PONV on the day of operation (p< 0.05) and well as they consumed more nutrition (p< 0.001) the day after the operation. There was no difference in pain-score between the two groups except on day 3 (p< 0.05) in activity and at rest on the day of discharge (p< 0.05). No wound complications could be shown in any of the groups during the first 6 weeks after surgery.

Interpretation: Introducing LIA in our department changed the postoperative period detailed in several ways for patients undergoing THA. This study document that operative wound infiltration with multimodal drugs reduced LOS after THA, even though the reduced duration of operation may be some of the explanation. Moreover, LIA resulted in better mobilisation, less PONV and more satisfied patients. We recommend all unit undertaking THA to implement LIA in their daily praxis.

Introduction: The main problem using first generation Gamma-nail in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures has been a high frequency of intra- and postoperative femoral fractures. The TGN was thought to represent an improvement in design and potentially a less invasive treatment.

Material and methods: 146 fractures were randomised prospectively to either DHS or TGN. The 2 groups were comparable regarding age, gender and fracture type (AO). Follow-up was carried out after 4 and 12 months.

Results: Average operation time in the TGN group was 63 min (SD=30min) and 48 min (SD=23) in the DHS group (p=0.0016). There was no difference in intra-operative blood loss, need for blood transfusion, length of hospital stay or mortality. Two femoral fractures occurred postoperatively in the TGN group. At follow-up 12 patients in the TGN and 6 patients in the DHS group had had a reoperation (p> 0.05). Six reoperations in the TGN group and 3 in the DHS group resulted in preservation of the hip joint. The remaining patients had an arthroplasty or a Girdlestone resection. Poor reduction and/or positioning of the implant was significantly correlated to the risk of reoperation (p< 0.001). Specific technical errors could be identified among 3 fractures in the TGN group leading to reoperation. Any correlation between fracture type and reoperation could not be demonstrated.

Conclusion: In this study operation time was significantly longer in the TGN group. Among other variables no significant differences could be demonstrated. In our department, with a high number of residents performing these operations, the DHS will continue to be the standard implant. Whether the TGN has a place in a subgroup of intertrochanteric fractures, operated by specialized surgeons, needs further investigation.