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The purpose of the study was to define the complications after hip fracture surgery in a single health care system and identify care practices that may lead to improved outcomes in elderly patients with hip fractures.
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"We found that the return to the best quality of life after hip surgery is not determined by the type of operation but rather by the patient's pre-existing conditions and complications after surgery," stated Derek Donegan, MD, study co-author and orthopaedic surgery resident at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. "It is also important to note that the patient's recovery was improved by a team approach of medical specialists, including geriatricians and physiatrists."
The ASA classification system represents the anesthesiologist's assessment of the general health and well-being of the patient before surgery. Typically, there are five classes: 1) normal healthy patient; 2) patient with mild systemic disease; 3) patient with serious, non-incapacitating systemic disease; 4) patient with life-threatening incapacitating systemic disease; 5) patient that is near death.
The study consisted of a record review of 197 patients over age 65 who underwent hip fracture surgery from 2004 to 2008 treated by the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Trauma and Fracture Service.
The study revealed:
"We confirmed use of the ASA classification can help identify high-risk patients," continued Dr. Donegan. "We recommend these higher risk patients, in class 3 or 4, be closely managed medically so that any existing conditions can be treated and any evolving medical issues can be addressed in a timely manner," continued Dr. Donegan.
Dr. Donegan added, "Utilizing strategies that improve bone health and prevent hip fractures are ways to limit the significant impact a fall can have."
Prevent hip and other bone fractures
Falls are the number one cause of hip fractures in elderly patients -- and falls can be lethal for older adults. To prevent falls in the home, where they are most likely to occur, visit www.orthoinfo.org/falls.
And, to keep bones healthy throughout life, try these tips:
More information on who is at risk for broken hips and the treatment involved can be found on www.orthoinfo.org.
Disclosure: The authors did not receive any outside funding or grants in support of their research for or preparation of this work. Neither they nor a member of their immediate families received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity.
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-- Medical complications were more common in patients in ASA class 3 and class 4 than in those in class 2. -- Patients in ASA class 3 had a 3.78 times greater chance of having a medical complication following surgery than those in class 2. -- Patients in ASA class 4 had a 7.39 times greater chance of having medical complications following surgery than those in class 2. -- No significant relationship was identified between the ASA class and surgical complications.
SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
