ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential risk factors affecting mortality in geriatric patients undergoing surgical operations for hip fractures.
One-hundred and sixteen patients (46 males, 70 females; mean age, 77.6 years) who were older than 65 years and had been operated on for hip fractures and followed from the early postoperative period were included in the study. The patients underwent surgical treatment for a femoral neck, intertrochanteric fracture, and subtrochanteric fractures. Patients were evaluated in terms of age, surgical time, length of hospital stay, accompanying systemic diseases, and mobilization timing for risk factors affecting mortality.
Twelve patients (2 male, 10 female) died of various medical diseases. Two (1.7%) patients died in the first month, 4 (3.4%) between the 1st and the 3rd month, 1 (0.9%) between the 3rd and the 6th month, and 5 (4.3%) between the 6th and 12th month. The causes of death in these patients were cardiopulmonary failure (n=7), pulmonary embolism, and old age. ASA scores of the group of non-survivor patients were significantly higher compared with the group of survivor patients in terms of age, the presence of 3 or more systemic diseases, the duration of hospital stay, and mobilization time. There was no significant correlation between the surgical procedure chosen and the mortality rate.
Geriatric patients for whom hip fracture surgery is planned should be evaluated together with their general health status before surgery. Advanced age and high ASA scores increase the risk of mortality. Early preparation of the patient for surgery will shorten the duration of hospital stay and time until surgery and consequently will reduce perioperative complications. In addition, early mobilization by selecting the appropriate surgery method for the fracture type and the patient is a significant factor in reducing mortality.
Keywords: Geriatric, hip fracture, mortality, risk factor, comorbidity
