Mortality, Risk Factors and Risk Assessment after Periprosthetic Femoral Fractures-A Retrospective Cohort Study

Thaqif El Khassawna1, Gero Knapp2, Nadja Scheibler1,2

  • 1Experimental Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany.

Insights

Delayed surgery for periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFF) does not increase mortality. Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) predicts mortality risk better than American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores in PFF patients.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Geriatric Fracture Care

Background:

  • Periprosthetic femoral fracture (PFF) is a severe complication following hip arthroplasty.
  • Understanding risk factors for mortality and functional outcomes is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of surgical timing on mortality and postoperative outcomes in PFF patients.
  • To compare the predictive value of Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores for PFF mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of PFF patients treated between January 2010 and March 2018.
  • Assessment of mortality rates, Harris Hip Score, and WOMAC score.
  • Comparison of outcomes based on surgical delay (>48 hours), fixation methods (ORIF vs. revision arthroplasty), and comorbidity scores (CCI, ASA).

Main Results:

  • One-year mortality rate after PFF was 10.7%.
  • Delayed surgery (>48 hours) did not significantly impact mortality or functional outcomes.
  • Higher CCI scores were associated with increased mortality, whereas ASA scores did not show significant differences.
  • Cementation of the femoral stem correlated negatively with WOMAC scores.

Conclusions:

  • Surgical delay beyond 48 hours is not a significant risk factor for mortality in PFF.
  • The CCI is a more effective tool than the ASA score for assessing mortality risk in PFF patients.
  • Optimal management strategies should consider patient comorbidities for improved outcomes.

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