Risk factors analysis for postoperative mortality of elder patients with intertrochanteric fractures

Abstract

To analyze the risk factors for postoperative mortality of elder patients with intertrochanteric fractures. Patients with intertrochanteric fractures who underwent proximal femoral interlocking intramedullary nail fixation between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled in the study. Among them, 135 patients who met the selection criteria were included in the study, and the clinical data were collected, including gender, age, time from admission to surgery, comorbidities, and preoperative hemoglobin, albumin, and total lymphocyte count (TLC), and nutritional status. Univariate analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to screen the risk factors for postoperative mortality. Twenty-seven patients (20.0%) died within 2 years after surgery, and 16 (11.9%) died within 1 year after surgery. Univariate analysis showed that age, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, number of comorbidities, preoperative hemoglobin and albumin levels were the influencing factors of postoperative mortality in elder patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated with proximal femoral interlocking intramedullary nail fixation (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age (≥80 years), combined more than 2 medical diseases, and preoperative albumin (<35 g/L) were the independent risk factors for postoperative mortality (P<0.05). To improve the clinical outcomes, perioperative risk should be comprehensively evaluated and perioperative management strengthened in the elder patients with intertrochanteric fractures, especially those with advanced age, more combined diseases, and low albumin, for the high postoperative mortality.