Anne J. H. Vochteloo

More than half of hip fracture patients do not regain mobility in the first postoperative year

Aim:  To measure functional recovery and determine risk factors for failure to return to the prefracture level of mobility of hip fracture patients 1 year postoperatively.

Delirium risk screening and haloperidol prophylaxis program in hip fracture patients is a helpful tool in identifying high-risk patients, but does not reduce the incidence of delirium

BackgroundDelirium in patients with hip fractures lead to higher morbidity and mortality. Prevention in high-risk patients by prescribing low dose haloperidol is currently under investigation.MethodsThis prospective cohort surveillance assessed hip fracture patients for risk of developing a delirium with the Risk Model for Delirium (RD) score. High-risk patients (score ≥ 5 points) were treated with a prophylactic low-dose of haloperidol according to hospital protocol. Primary outcome was delirium incidence. Secondary outcomes were differences between high- and low-risk patients in delirium, length of stay (LOS), return to pre-fracture living situation and mortality. Logistic regression analysis was performed with age, ASA-classification, known dementia, having a partner, type of fracture, institutional residence and psychotropic drug use as possible confounders.Results445 hip fracture patients aged 65 years and older were admitted from January 2008 to December 2009. The RD-score was completed in 378 patients, 173 (45.8%) high-risk patients were treated with prophylactic medication. Sensitivity was 71.6%, specificity 63.8% and the negative predictive value (NPV) of a score < 5 was 85.9%.Delirium incidence (27.0%) was not significantly different compared to 2007 (27.8%) 2006 (23.9%) and 2005 (29.0%) prior to implementation of the RD- protocol.Logistic regression analysis showed that high-risk patients did have a significant higher delirium incidence (42.2% vs. 14.1%, OR 4.1, CI 2.43-7.02). They were more likely to be residing at an alternative living situation after 3 months (62.3% vs. 17.0%, OR 6.57, CI 3.23-13.37) and less likely to be discharged from hospital before 10 days (34.9% vs. 55.9%, OR 1.63, CI 1.03-2.59). Significant independent risk factors for a delirium were a RD-score ≥ 5 (OR 4.13, CI 2.43-7.02), male gender (OR 1.93, CI 0.99-1.07) and age (OR 1.03, CI 0.99-1.07).ConclusionsIntroducing the delirium prevention protocol did not reduce delirium incidence.The RD-score did identify patients with a high risk to develop a delirium. This high-risk group had a longer LOS and returned to pre-fracture living situation less often.The NPV of a score < 5 was high, as it should be for a screening instrument. Concluding, the RD-score is a useful tool to identify patients with poorer outcome.

Outcome in hip fracture patients related to anemia at admission and allogeneic blood transfusion: an analysis of 1262 surgically treated patients

BackgroundAnemia is more often seen in older patients. As the mean age of hip fracture patients is rising, anemia is common in this population. Allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) and anemia have been pointed out as possible risk factors for poorer outcome in hip fracture patients.MethodsIn the timeframe 2005-2010, 1262 admissions for surgical treatment of a hip fracture in patients aged 65 years and older were recorded. Registration was prospective from 2008 on. Anemic and non-anemic patients (based on hemoglobin level at admission) were compared regarding clinical characteristics, mortality, delirium incidence, LOS, discharge to a nursing home and the 90-day readmission rate. Receiving an ABT, age, gender, ASA classification, type of fracture and anesthesia were used as possible confounders in multivariable regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of anemia and the rate of ABT both were 42.5%. Anemic patients were more likely to be older and men and had more often a trochanteric fracture, a higher ASA score and received more often an ABT. In univariate analysis, the 3- and 12-month mortality rate, delirium incidence and discharge to a nursing home rate were significantly worse in preoperatively anemic patients.In multivariable regression analysis, anemia at admission was a significant risk factor for discharge to a nursing home and readmission < 90 days, but not for mortality. Indication for ABT, age and ASA classification were independent risk factors for mortality at all moments, only the mortality rate for the 3-12 month interval was not influenced by ABT. An indication for an ABT was the largest negative contributor to a longer LOS (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.73-2.94) and the second largest for delirium (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.28-2.20).ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated that anemia at admission and postoperative anemia needing an ABT (PANT) were independent risk factors for worse outcome in hip fracture patients. In multivariable regression analysis, anemia as such had no effect on mortality, due to a rescue effect of PANT. In-hospital, 3- and 12-month mortality was negatively affected by PANT, with the main effect in the first 3 months postoperatively.

Do antipsychotics prevent postoperative delirium? A systematic review and meta-analysis

To summarize the effect of antipsychotics for preventing postoperative delirium.

Validation of the Risk Model for Delirium in hip fracture patients

OBJECTIVE The Risk Model for Delirium (RD) score is a 10-item questionnaire that allocates hip fracture patients after admission to hospital to be either at high or at low risk for delirium. This allows targeted preventive actions. Clinical reliability, validity and feasibility of the RD score are discussed. METHODS Demographic data, RD score and delirium incidence of all consecutive admissions for hip fractures in patients 65 years and older were collected. In 102 patients, the RD score was repeated. Interobserver reliability and validity were determined. The correlation between delirium and items both included and not included in the RD score was calculated. RESULTS A total of 378 patients were included; 102 (27%) were diagnosed with a delirium. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the RD score was 0.77 [confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.84]. Sensitivity was 80.4% (71.4-87.6), and specificity was 56.2% (50.1-62.1). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.73 (CI 0.68-0.77). A multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that besides the RD score, a trochanteric fracture and male gender were independent risk factors for delirium. CONCLUSIONS The RD score is a reliable, feasible and valid instrument for predicting delirium in hip fracture patients.

Femoroacetabular impingement and its implications on range of motion: a case report

IntroductionFemoroacetabular impingement leads to limited hip motion, pain and progressive damage to the labrum. Assessment of the amount and location of excessive ossification can be difficult, and removal does not always lead to pain relief and an increase of function. One of the challenges ahead is to discover why certain cases have poor outcomes.Case presentationThe technical and clinical results of two consecutive arthroscopic shavings of an osseous cam protrusion are described in our patient, a 50-year-old Caucasian man with complaints of femoroacetabular impingement. At 12 weeks after the first arthroscopic shaving, our patient still experienced pain. Using a range of motion simulation system based on computed tomography images the kinematics of his hip joint were analyzed. Bone that limited range of motion was removed in a second arthroscopic procedure. At six months post-operatively our patient is almost pain free and has regained a range of motion to a functional level.ConclusionThis case demonstrates the relevance of range of motion simulation when the outcome of primary arthroscopic management is unsatisfactory. Such simulations may aid clinicians in determining the gain of a second operation. This claim is supported by the correlation of the simulations with clinical outcome, as shown in this case report.

Cemented versus non-cemented hemiarthroplasty of the hip as a treatment for a displaced femoral neck fracture: design of a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundA discussion is ongoing whether displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients should be treated with a non-cemented or a cemented hemiarthroplasty. A recent Cochrane analysis stresses the importance of further research into the relative merits of these techniques. We hypothesise that non-cemented hemiarthroplasty will result in at least the same technical-functional outcome and complication rate, with a shorter operation time.Methods and designA randomised controlled multicentre trial will be performed.The study population consists of 200 patients of 70 years and older. Patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture will be allocated randomly to have a cemented or a non-cemented hemiarthroplasty. Data will be collected preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year postoperatively.The main outcome measures of this study are technical-functional results of the hemiarthroplasty, duration of surgery, complications, and mid-thigh pain. Secondary outcome measures are living conditions at final follow up, self-reported health-related quality of life, and radiological evaluation of the hemiarthroplasty.ConclusionA recent Cochrane analysis did not find arguments in favour of either non-cemented or cemented hemiarthroplasty. The forthcoming trial will compare treatment for a displaced femoral neck fracture by cemented versus non-cemented hemiarthroplasty. Our results will be published as soon as they become available.Trial RegistrationTrial Registration Number NTR1508

Do clinical characteristics and outcome in nonagenarians with a hip fracture differ from younger patients

Aim:  To compare clinical characteristics and outcome of nonagenarian hip fracture patients with younger patients aged 65–89 years.

Let’s add three other studies

The take home message of the meta-analysis by Smith and colleagues as broadcast in the media was that the risk of developing a wound infection after orthopaedic surgery is significantly higher when the wound is closed with staples rather than sutures.1 However, the meta-analysis does not support this conclusion. Firstly, we found three new studies in a Pub …

Range of motion implications of proximal humerus fractures: a case study

BackgroundFunctional outcome in surgical treatment of Neer three- and four-part proximal humerus fractures (PHF) varies greatly and depends on multiple parameters. Important parameters are the amount and direction of displacement and the necessary reduction of fragments during surgery. These are patient-specific parameters and are difficult to determine using traditional modalities such as radiographs and computed tomography (CT).MethodsA 58-year-old female patient was reported in the emergency department with a three-part PHF. CT scan images showed that the humeral shaft was medialised and internally rotated, but with a marginally displaced greater tuberosity fragment. Using a bone-determined range of motion (ROM) simulation system, we analysed the CT scan and calculated the required correction needed to prevent post-operative impingement. The fracture was reduced and stabilised by a locking plate, realigning the medialised and internally rotated humeral shaft. The post-operative bone-determined ROM was determined using a post-operative CT scan and the motion simulation system.ResultsROM limitations due to bony impingement visible in the simulations of the pre-operative CT scan had mostly disappeared in the simulations of the post-operative CT scan. Twelve weeks post-surgery the patient has regained close to 80% of her ROM.ConclusionsThis case demonstrates the applicability of a new diagnostic tool that can be used to identify bony impingement and helps in making the decision for conservative or surgical treatment of a PHF. The simulation of post-trauma function was indicative of functional outcome. This supports our claim that the system may be used to facilitate the treatment decision regarding PHF.