| Sub-title | |
| Authors | J Casaletto R Gatt |
| Abstract | In this retrospective study we looked at the difference in one year mortality between two groups of patients operated for fracture of the hip. Patients and methods In cohort 1 72% of the patients underwent surgery on the same day of admission, 15% of the patients the next day, the remaining 13% of the patients waited more than one day for surgery. The mean waiting time was 0.47 days. The percentage of patients who were operated on the same day of admission in cohort 2 was 18%. 69% of the patients had to wait 1 day and 13% waited 2 days or more. The average waiting time was 1.01 days. The date of death for both the 166 patients in cohort 1 and the 197 patients in cohort 2, was obtained from the national mortality register. The two groups were comparable in gender, age distribution and the types of operations. Results There was an increase of 10.1% in the mortality of patients in cohort 2. The mortality data of the two cohorts was also analyzed after dividing the patients into three groups according to their age. A statistically significant increase in mortality of 16.9% in patients over 80 years of age in cohort 2 was found. Total mortality at two years after the operation was the same in the two cohorts. Mortality rate for patients in cohort 2 was less than that for cohort 1 patients during the second post-operative year. Conclusion This study shows that survival at one year is better when patients who are medically fit for surgery are operated on the same day of admission. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | Volume 15 (suppl) |
| Pages | - |
| Date | |
| Link to journal | |
| Key words | post-operative, mortality, waiting time, hip fracture surgery, orthopaedics |