Aging Clinical and Experimental Research · Jun 10, 2019

Operative versus non-operative treatment of displaced acetabular fractures in elderly patients

By Boudissa M, Francony F, Drevet S et al.

BACKGROUND: Acetabular fracture treatments in elderly patients are not well codified. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine if, for active elderly patients, the clinical results after surgical treatment of displaced acetabular fractures are better than for non-operative treatment. METHODS: All active patients over 60 years with a Parker score higher than 6, managed for displaced acetabular fracture between 2005 and 2014, were included in this single-center retrospective study. Clinical outcomes were compared according to the therapeutic option (operative or non-operative) and the fracture pattern (anterior fracture that requires open reduction and internal fixation or posterior fracture that requires total hip arthroplasty). RESULTS: Among the 82 patients with Parker score higher than 6, 44 were treated non-operatively and 38 were operated. Forty-seven had anterior fracture (AF) and 35 had posterior fracture (PF). In the AF group, the autonomy scores were better for operative than non-operative patients (p < 0.05) with a PARKER score 7.8 (7-8) versus 5.4 (1-9); ADL score 5.7 (4-6) versus 4.4 (1-6) and IADL score 7.6 (6-8) versus 4.2 (0-8). In the PF group, the autonomy scores were better for operative than non-operative patients (p < 0.05) with a PARKER score 7.3 (4-9) versus 5.6 (2-9), ADL score 5.3 (2-6) versus 4.4 (1-6) and IADL score 5.6 (2-8) versus 4.1 (1-7). Regarding clinical outcomes, the HARRIS and PMA scores were better for operative patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment in elderly patients with displaced acetabular fractures is associated with better clinical outcomes than non-operative treatment when the autonomy level is comparable.

doi.org/10.1007/s40520-019-01231-5PubMed 31183749Interventions