[Comparison of effectiveness of three operations in treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly patients].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty, and total hip arthroplasty in the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients so as to provide the evidence for the selection of therapeutic methods.

METHODS: Between May 2005 and April 2008, 108 elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures were treated by internal fixation with compression screw (IF group, n = 31), hemiarthroplasty (HA group, n = 37), and total hip arthroplasty (THA group, n = 40). In IF group, there were 8 males and 23 females with an average age of 73 years (range, 65-80 years); fractures were caused by tumbling (25 cases) and traffic accident (6 cases), including 17 cases of Garden type III and 14 cases of Garden type IV; and the time from injury to operation ranged from 8 hours to 13 days with an average of 4.2 days. In HA group, there were 10 males and 27 females with an average age of 74 years (range, 65-80 years); fractures were caused by tumbling (29 cases) and traffic accident (8 cases), including 21 cases of Garden type III and 16 cases of Garden type IV; and the time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 14 days with an average of 4.4 days. In THA group, there were 11 males and 29 females with an average age of 73 years (range, 66-80 years); fractures were caused by tumbling (32 cases) and traffic accident (8 cases), including 23 cases of Garden type III and 17 cases of Garden type IV; and the time from injury to operation ranged from 2 to 14 days with an average of 5.6 days. There was no significant difference in general data among 3 groups (P > 0.05).

RESULTS: There were significant differences in operation time and blood loss among 3 groups (P < 0.05), and IF group was less than other 2 groups. All patients were followed up 1 year and 4 months to 2 years and 3 months with an average of 1 year and 8 months. In IF group, HA group, and THA group, the rates of early postoperative complications were 19.4% (6/31), 8.1% (3/37), and 7.5% (3/40), respectively; the rates of late postoperative complications were 29.0% (9/31), 13.5% (5/37), and 7.5% (3/40), respectively; and the reoperation rates were 29.0% (9/31), 10.8% (4/37), and 5.0% (2/40), respectively. The rates of the early postoperative complication, late postoperative complication, and reoperation rate were significantly higher in IF group than in HA group and THA group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between HA group and THA group (P > 0.05). The mortality rates were 16.1% (5/31), 13.5% (5/37), and 15.0% (6/40) in IF group, HA group, and THA group, respectively; showing no significant difference (P > 0.05). According to Harris hip score, the excellent and good rates were 65.4% (17/26), 81.3% (26/32), and 85.3% (29/34) in IF group, HA group, and THA group, respectively; showing significant differences among 3 groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: According to patient's age, life expectancy, and general conditions, THA is a reasonable choice for the patients aged 65-80 years with displaced femoral neck fracture.