COMPLICATIONS AFTER TREATMENT OF PROXIMAL FEMORAL FRACTURES

Background and Aims: The number of fractures of the proximal femur is increasing faster than the number of elderly people. The aim of the st udy was to record all complications after operative treatment of proxi mal femoral fractures in order to reduce the incidence of these compli cations in the future. Material and Methods: The files of 334 patients with proximal femoral fractures were retrospectively analyzed. The nu mber of all general and operative complications were recorded. Results and Conclusions: The primary mortality was 8 percent. The most common general complication was a thromboembolic one. Local complications we re recorded in 66 cases. Thirty-eight percent of femoral neck fracture s treated by internal fixation were complicated. Increased attention s hould be focused on the sufficient antithrombosis prophylaxis, which s hould be continued at least during the whole convalescence period at t he hospital. If remains to be clarified, if improved technical skill m ay improve the results of femoral neck osteosynthesis, which in this g roup of patients appeared far from satisfactory. The development of po st-operative care and selection of right patients to an appropriate re habilitation program is perhaps the most important factor today, in or der to reduce complications in general.