Aims

This study aimed to compare mortality in trochanteric AO/OTA A1 and A2 fractures treated with an intramedullary nail (IMN) or sliding hip screw (SHS). The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality, with secondary endpoints at 0 to 1, 2 to 7, 8 to 30, 90, and 365 days.

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).

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The aim of this study was to examine perioperative blood transfusion practice, and associations with clinical outcomes, in a national cohort of hip fracture patients.

Aims

Patients with A1 and A2 trochanteric hip fractures represent a substantial proportion of trauma caseload, and national guidelines recommend that sliding hip screws (SHS) should be used for these injuries. Despite this, intramedullary nails (IMNs) are routinely implanted in many hospitals, at extra cost and with unproven patient outcome benefit. We have used data from the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) to examine the use of SHS and IMN for A1 and A2 hip fractures at a national level, and to define the cost implications of management decisions that run counter to national guidelines.

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The primary aim of this study was to determine the rates of return to work (RTW) and sport (RTS) following a humeral shaft fracture. The secondary aim was to identify factors independently associated with failure to RTW or RTS.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that a single dose of tranexamic acid (TXA) would reduce blood loss and transfusion rates in elderly patients undergoing surgery for a subcapital or intertrochanteric (IT) fracture of the hip.

Increasing incidence of osteoporosis, obesity and an aging population have led to an increase in low energy hip fractures in the elderly. Perceived lower blood loss and lower surgical time, media coverage of minimal invasive surgery and patient expectations unsurprisingly have led to a trend towards intramedullary devices for fixation of extracapsular hip fractures. This is contrary to the Cochrane review of random controlled trials of intramedullary vs extramedullary implants which continues recommends the use of a sliding hip screw (SHS) over other devices. Furthermore, despite published literature of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) of SHS citing benefits such as reduced soft tissue trauma, smaller scar, faster recovery, reduced blood loss, reduced analgesia needs; the uptake of these approaches has been poor. We describe a novel technique one which remains minimally invasive, that not only has a simple learning curve but easily reproducible results. All patients who underwent MIS SHS fixation of extracapsular fractures were included in this study. Technique is shown in Figure 1. We collated data on all intertrochanteric hip fractures that were treated by a single surgeon series during period Jan 2014 to July 2015. Data was collected from electronic patient records and radiographs from Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Surgical time, fluoroscopy time, blood loss, surgical incision length, post-operative transfusion, Tip Apex Distance (TAD) were analyzed. There were 10 patients in this study. All fractures were Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) type A1 or A2. Median surgical time was 36 minutes (25–54). Mean fluoroscopy time was similar to standard incision sliding hip screw fixation. Blood loss estimation with MIS SHS can be undertaken safely and expeditiously for extracapsular hip fractures

Aims

Our rural orthopaedic service has undergone service restructure during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to sustain hip fracture care. All adult trauma care has been centralised to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for assessment and medical input, before transferring those requiring operative intervention to the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital. We aim to review the impact of COVID-19 on hip fracture workload and service changes upon management of hip fractures.

Aims

Hip fractures in patients < 60 years old currently account for only 3% to 4% of all hip fractures in England, but this proportion is increasing. Little is known about the longer-term patient-reported outcomes in this potentially more active population. The primary aim is to examine patient-reported outcomes following isolated hip fracture in patients aged < 60 years. The secondary aim is to determine an association between outcomes and different types of fracture pattern and/or treatment implants.

Things have not been quiet in the Cochrane Collaboration in the four months since the last 'Cochrane Corner', with the publication of six new or updated reviews summarised here, all conducted with the bulletproof Collaboration's methodology representing the pinnacle of evidence relevant to orthopaedic surgeons.

Introduction. Debate still exists as to the optimum method of fixation for subtrochanteric femoral fractures. Meta-analysis of studies comparing cephalocondylic nails with extramedullary implants for extracapsular hip fractures have suggested that further investigation is required in this area. We present the outcome of the largest series to date of subtrochanteric fractures treated by both methods and with a minimum of one year follow-up. Methods. 244 patients with a subtrochanteric femur fracture were treated at one centre over a 21 year period were prospectively studied. 75 were treated with an extramedullary fixation implant and 168 with an intramedullary nail. Surviving patients were followed up till one year from injury. Results. The mean age of patients was 74 and 71% were female. Fixation failure requiring revision surgery occurred in 4% of those treated with an extramedullary implant and 6% of those treated with an intramedullary nail, a difference that was not statistically significant. Length of surgery was similar for both operations but transfusion requirements were less for those treated by the intramedullary nail (p<0.0001). No notable differences in other outcomes were found. Discussion. In summary both intramedullary and extramedullary fixation produce comparable outcomes for this fracture

While hidden blood loss has been shown to occur in hip fractures the timing and cause have not yet been demonstrated. This study investigated the degree of pre-operative blood loss within the first 24hrs after intertrochanteric hip fracture. 188 patients with extracapsular hip fractures had their full blood count taken on admission and after 24 hours. The haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) were noted at each time. Fractures were grouped as undisplaced or displaced. Those who were operated on prior to the 24hr blood sample were excluded. All patients with intracapsular or sub-trochanteric fractures were excluded, as were any who received a blood transfusion prior to their 24hr blood sample being taken. The tests for differences between blood samples and the existence of displacement were performed using paired and independent Student’s t-test. The level of significance was set at P< 0.05. All data was analysed using SPSS statistical software version 11. The overall fall in the Hb within 24hr was significant (1.6 g/dl, P< 0.001), as was the fall in the haematocrit (0.05, P< 0.05). Displaced fractures had a significantly lower Hb at 24hrs than undisplaced (10.6g/dl vs 11.8 g/dl, P=0.001). The fall in Hb was significantly greater in displaced fractures compared to undisplaced (1.7g/dl vs 1.2g/dl, P< 0.05). Changes in the Hct mirrored those of the Hb. This study identified a significant blood loss that occurs within the first 24hrs after an intertrochanteric hip fracture, prior to theatre. The cause is unlikely to be secondary to dehydration as the Hct fell with the Hb. Thus the most likely cause is the trauma itself. The admission Hb is possibly an inaccurate measure of the true value and patients may be more shocked than first thought. A more liberal resuscitation policy may be warranted

Introduction: Despite advances in surgical and anaesthetic techniques the mortality after hip fracture has not significantly changed in the last 40 years. Pre-operative anaemia is a risk factor for peri-operative death. We speculate that a significant proportion of the blood loss related to hip fracture has occurred prior to surgery. Identifying patients at risk of pre-operative anaemia can facilitate appropriate medical optimisation. This study is unique in its attempt to quantify the blood loss associated with the initial hip injury. Methods: In a retrospective study over 12 months all patients with both a diagnosis of hip fracture and an operative delay of > 48 hours were assessed. The information collected included: fracture classification, serial haemoglobins and patient comorbidities. The exclusion criteria included a pre-injury diagnosis of anaemia and gastrointestinal bleeds. Results: 68 intracapsular and 50 extracapsular hip fracture patients had serial haemoglobins and operative delays of > 48hrs (mean 75hrs, range 48–270hrs). The mean lowest recorded haemoglobin prior to surgery for both extracapsular and intracapsular fractures were 95.0 g/L (+/−SEM 2.2) and 108.5 g/L (+/−SEM 2.2) respectively. The difference was statistically significant (Students t-test p< 0.05). The mean haemoglobin drop for male and female patients with extracapsular hip fractures were 15.0 g/l (range 0–40 g/l) and 19.3 g/l (range 0–49 g/l) respectively and the mean haemoglobin drop for male and female intracapsular fracture patients were 10.2 (range 0–59 g/l) and 10.5 g/l (range 0–41 g/l) respectively. Conclusions:. Hip fracture patients have a large drop in haemoglobin that is likely to be associated with the initial trauma. Patients with extracapsular fractures demonstrate a greater haemoglobin loss than those with intracapsular fractures. This highlights the need for anaesthetic and orthopaedic staff to be vigilant to the risk of pre-operative anaemia in this cohort of frail patients

We investigated the excess mortality risk associated with fractures of the hip. Data related to 29 134 patients who underwent surgery following a fracture of the hip were obtained from the Scottish Hip Fracture Audit database. Fractures due to primary or metastatic malignancy were excluded. An independent database (General Register Office (Scotland)) was used to validate dates of death. The observed deaths per 100 000 of the population were then calculated for each group (gender, age and fracture type) at various time intervals up to eight years. A second database (Interim Life Tables for Scotland, Scottish Government) was then used to create standardised mortality ratios. Analysis showed that mortality in patients aged > 85 years with a fracture of the hip tended to return to the level of the background population between two and five years after the fracture. In those patients aged < 85 years excess mortality associated with hip fracture persisted beyond eight years. Extracapsular hip fractures and male gender also conferred increased risk

We compared the outcome of patients treated for an intertrochanteric fracture of the femoral neck with a locked, long intramedullary nail with those treated with a dynamic hip screw (DHS) in a prospective randomised study.

Each patient who presented with an extra-capsular hip fracture was randomised to operative stabilisation with either a long intramedullary Holland nail or a DHS. We treated 92 patients with a Holland nail and 98 with a DHS. Pre-operative variables included the Mini Mental test score, patient mobility, fracture pattern and American Society of Anesthesiologists grading. Peri-operative variables were anaesthetic time, operating time, radiation time and blood loss. Post-operative variables were time to mobilising with a frame, wound infection, time to discharge, time to fracture union, and mortality.

We found no significant difference in the pre-operative variables. The mean anaesthetic and operation times were shorter in the DHS group than in the Holland nail group (29.7 vs 40.4 minutes, p < 0.001; and 40.3 vs 54 minutes, p < 0.001, respectively). There was an increased mean blood loss within the DHS group versus the Holland nail group (160 ml vs 78 ml, respectively, p < 0.001). The mean time to mobilisation with a frame was shorter in the Holland nail group (DHS 4.3 days, Holland nail 3.6 days, p = 0.012). More patients needed a post-operative blood transfusion in the DHS group (23 vs seven, p = 0.003) and the mean radiation time was shorter in this group (DHS 0.9 minutes vs Holland nail 1.56 minutes, p < 0.001). The screw of the DHS cut out in two patients, one of whom underwent revision to a Holland nail. There were no revisions in the Holland nail group. All fractures in both groups were united when followed up after one year.

We conclude that the DHS can be implanted more quickly and with less exposure to radiation than the Holland nail. However, the resultant blood loss and need for transfusion is greater. The Holland nail allows patients to mobilise faster and to a greater extent. We have therefore adopted the Holland nail as our preferred method of treating intertrochanteric fractures of the hip.

Cerebral micro emboli have been noted to occur during both total hip and knee arthroplasty. These micro emboli have been implicated in the causation of postoperative cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to determine whether cerebral micro emboli occur during hip fracture surgery. 28 patients undergoing hip fracture surgery had transcranial doppler assessment of the middle cerebral artery to detect cerebral micro emboli. Micro embolic signals (MESs) were recorded during the operative procedure. Successful monitoring was carried out in 26 patients. MES were recorded in 16 out of 26 patients. 12 out of 16 patients who had MESs had undergone a cemented hemiarthroplasty; the remainder had a sliding hip screw for an extracapsular hip fracture. 75% (9/12) of patients who had a cemented hemiarthroplasty had the majority of MESs after reaming and cementing. MESs in the patients who had a sliding hip screw occurred throughout the operative procedure. Conclusion: Cerebral micro emboli do occur during hip fracture surgery. These emboli may be responsible for the cognitive dysfunction that occurs in this susceptible group of patients