Treatment of unstable, intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck by the cementless self-locking cephalic endoprosthesis.
Between July 1981 and July 1986, 152 patients with an unstable, intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck were treated with a prosthetic replacement. In a selected group of 75 very old individuals, with an average age of 82 years, a self-locking cephalic endoprosthesis was chosen. These patients were closely followed prospectively, during 3 months. The operative technique, the pre- and postoperative management are discussed. There was no peroperative mortality. The postoperative mortality rate (30 days) was very low (5.3%). Accidental fracture of the proximal femoral shaft occurred twice, during insertion of the prosthesis. No postoperative luxation was seen. The walking capacity of the survivors, 3 months after surgery, was compared with the status before injury. The self-locking cephalic endoprosthesis is a safe and time-economizing operative procedure. In our opinion, it is the treatment of choice for unstable, medial neck fractures of the femur in elderly patients, with a poor general condition and a limited life expectancy.
Vanclooster
P
P
Department of General Surgery and Traumatology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
Broos
P
P
Rommens
P
P
Gruwez
J A
JA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography