Do delays in surgery affect outcomes in patients with inter-trochanteric fractures?

OBJECTIVE To study the differences in outcomes of early versus delayed surgery in patients with intertrochanteric fractures. METHODS The retrospective chart review was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of patients who underwent surgery for intertrochanteric hip fractures from 2005 to 2010. A gap of >48hours between the event and the surgery was considered a delayed procedure and its impact on outcome was assessed. RESULTS Of the 190 patients, 138(72.6%) were in the early group and 52(27.3%) in the delayed group. The most common cause for delay of surgery was electrolyte imbalance in 14(27%) patients. Patients with delayed surgery had more comorbidites and higher ASA grades compared to those that underwent early surgery (p<0.05). Inpatient mortality was significantly higher in the delayed group (p=0.006). Multivariate analysis showed that higher mortality was associated with delay in surgery. CONCLUSIONS In patients with multiple comorbid conditions, expedited optimisation for surgery may be warranted to reduce mortality.