ELECTIVE TOTAL HIP-PROSTHESIS PROCEDURES IN PATIENTS OVER 80 YEAR OF AGE

Ninety-five primary elective total hip prosthesis procedures were carr ied out in patients over 80 years of age (average 82.9 years). The res ults were studied retrospectively to determine the individual risk-adv antage relationship and the general cost-advantage relationship taking the social aspects into consideration. Fractures and emergency proced ures were excluded. Ninety-three percent of the patients had preexisti ng general illnesses. There were no local or general complications in the peri- and postoperative courses of 86% and 85%, respectively. The general complications included urological (6%), cardiovascular (5%) an d abdominal (3%) problems. The only death (myocardial infarction) took place 4 weeks after the operation during the rehabilitation phase. Th e average hospital stay was 23.3 days; 20% of the patients were then a ble to return home, while 80% were sent to another institution for fur ther care (geriatric department, rehabilitation), where the average st ay was 36.7 days. The total inpatient treatment period was on average 52.3 days. At the time of the last follow-up, an average of 4.6 years postoperatively, 75% of the patients were alive with an average age of 87.4 years. Seventy-nine percent were still able to live alone and lo ok after themselves; 81% were independent or only partially dependent (living in a retirement home). Ninety-three percent had no pain or onl y mild pain. If indicated, the operation risk factor for total hip pro stheses in patients over 80 years is obviously low, and the results ar e good. This operation permits the patient to have many years free of pain, to remain independent, and to achieve a clearly higher quality o f life. In this way one can also save on the high cost of many years o f nursing care.