Morbidity and mortality for elderly patients with fractured neck of femur treated by hemiarthroplasty

Abstract

Patients above the age of 60 with displaced femoral neck fractures are treated by hemiarthroplasty in Singapore because of our low life expectancy. This study evaluates the morbidity and mortality of 110 such patients operated on in our department between January 1990 and December 1992. It has clinical significance because of the rapidly ageing population of Singapore. The mean age was 78 years with a female preponderance of 5:1. They were predominantly Chinese. None of the patients were Malay. This is the first study showing that such fractures are rare among Malays. Most fractures were due to trivial trauma. Fifty-eight per cent had co-existing illness(es). The mean hospitalization stay was 20 days. There were considerable and local complications in 15 patients. Twenty-five patients died. Of the remaining patients, 17 (20 per cent) were unable to regain independent ambulation. The mortality rate at 3, 6 and 12 months was 6.4 per cent, 9.1 per cent and 15 per cent respectively. Males showed a significantly higher mortality rate than females. Also, patients living in government-built high rise flats had a significantly higher mortality rate than those residing in privately owned homes.