Does fracture type or surgical technique influence mortality in elderly hip fracture patients?

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare the 1-year mortality outcomes of elderly patients with hip fractures treated with either hemiarthroplasty (HA) or proximal femoral nailing (PFN), focusing on both intracapsular and extracapsular fractures. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 210 patients aged 60 years or older who underwent hip fracture surgery between January 2020 and December 2021. Patients were categorized into three groups: Group 1 (PFN for extracapsular fractures), Group 2 (HA for intracapsular fractures), and Group 3 (HA for extracapsular fractures). Demographic variables, surgical details, and 1-year mortality were analyzed. Results: The overall 1-year mortality rate was 37.6%. Mortality was lowest in patients treated with PFN for extracapsular fractures and highest in those treated with HA for extracapsular fractures. Older age and male gender were associated with increased mortality, while female gender had a protective effect. Conclusion: PFN should be considered the preferred surgical approach for elderly patients with extracapsular hip fractures due to its lower mortality and complication rates. HA, while effective for intracapsular fractures, presents higher risks in extracapsular cases. Tailoring surgical strategies to fracture type is essential to optimize patient outcomes.