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Background and purpose -- In patients around retirement age controversy exists as to whether to treat displaced femoral neck fracture (dFNF) with internal fixation (IF) or arthroplasty. An arthroplasty in this age group may need revision due to a long expected remaining lifetime. IF carries a higher risk of early failure but a maintained native hip if healing occurs. We aimed to determine the cumulative 5-year rate of conversion to arthroplasty after IF and implant revision after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), respectively. Patients and methods -- In this longitudinal cohort study, patients aged 60-69 years registered with a dFNF in the Swedish Fracture Register (SFR) 2012-2018 were cross-referenced with available data from the Swedish Arthroplasty Register (SAR) until December 31, 2019. Conversion to arthroplasty or revision were analyzed utilizing competing risk, with death as competing event. Results -- At 5 years, the cumulative rate of conversion to arthroplasty after IF was 31% (95% confidence interval [CI] 26-37). For primary THA, the 5-year rate of revision was 4.0% (CI 2.8-5.8). The 5-year mortality did not differ, being 20% (CI 16-27) and 23% (CI 20-28) after IF and THA, respectively. Regression analyses did not identify any risk factors for conversion arthroplasty based on the variables in the register. Conclusion -- A follow-up of 5 years catches most reoperations after IF, resulting in a 31% conversion rate. The 4% revision rate at 5 years after primary THA should be seen as an intermediate result, as late complications may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose -- Little is known on the use of metal artifact reduction sequence (MARS) MRI to diagnose osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) after fixation of femoral neck fractures (FNF) with conventional metal implants present. We compared MARS MRI with radiography in diagnosing ONFH. Secondarily, we determined whether signs of ONFH on MARS MRI correlate with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) via Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and pain (VAS). Patients and methods -- 30 adults under 60 years treated with internal fixation after FNF were prospectively included (2015-2018) at 2 hospitals. They were followed up with radiography and PROs at 4, 12, and 24 months and MARS MRI at 4 and 12 months. OHS < 34 or VAS pain > 20 was considered significant. Results -- At 12 months, 14 patients had a pathological MRI. 3 of 14 had ONFH on radiographs at 12 months, increasing to 5 at 24 months, and 4 had unfavorable PROs. 2 of 5 patients with ONFH signs on both MRI and radiography had unfavorable PROs. 1 of 10 patients with normal MRI and radiography had unfavorable 2-year PROs. 4 patients had inconsistent MRI results, of which 1 developed ONFH. 1 patient dropped out. Conclusion -- Information from a pathological MRI was not useful, as a majority remained free from symptoms and ONFH signs on radiographs. Furthermore, PROs did not correlate with imaging results. MARS MRI findings must be better understood before being taken into clinical practice. However, a normal MARS MRI seems to be a good prognostic finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose -- Older patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture (FNF) are often treated with a cemented primary hemiarthroplasty (HA). The DAICY trial investigates whether high-dose dual-impregnated antibioticloaded cement (DIAC) including gentamicin and clindamycin can reduce the risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in comparison with low-dose single-impregnated gentamicin antibiotic-loaded cement (SIAC), in patients ≥ 60 years treated with a cemented HA for a displaced FNF. Study design -- The trial is a national, multicenter, register- based, cluster-randomized, crossover trial. Patients ≥ 60 years with a non-pathological, displaced FNF (Type Garden 3--4/AO 31-B2 or B3) suitable for HA according to local guidelines are eligible for inclusion. Participating orthopedic departments will be randomized to start with either SIAC (control group) or DIAC treatment (intervention group) for 2 years. After 2 years, the study departments will then change to the other treatment arm for the remaining 2 years of the study. Approximately 7,000 patients will be included. The study is pragmatic in that the choice of implant brands, surgical approach and peri- and postoperative protocols follow the local routines of each participating department. All outcome variables will be retrieved after linkage of the study cohort to the following Swedish registers: the Fracture Register, the Arthroplasty Register, the National Patient Register and the Prescribed Drug Registry Outcome -- The primary outcome will be periprosthetic joint infection of the index joint within 1 year after surgery. Secondary outcomes will be any reoperation on the index joint, mortality within 90 days and 1 year, resistance patterns of causative bacteria in cases of PJI, and health economics. Potential added value -- This trial is designed to support or refute the efficacy of DIAC used in patients with a displaced FNF, potentially reducing PJI and resource allocation. Start of the trial and estimated duration -- The DAICY trial started recruiting patients in January 2022 and will continue recruiting for approximately 4 years. Complete follow-up expected in 5 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose — Current literature indicates no difference in 90-day mortality after cemented compared with cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, previous studies are hampered by potential selection bias and suboptimal adjustment for comorbidity confounding. Therefore, we examined the comorbidity-adjusted mortality up to 90 days after cemented compared with cementless THA performed due to osteoarthritis. Patients and methods — Using the Nordic Arthroplasty Register Association database, 2005–2013, we included 108,572 cemented and 80,034 cementless THA due to osteoarthritis. We calculated the Charlson comorbidity index of each patient based on data from national patient registers. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate unadjusted all-cause mortality. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for 14, 30-, and 90-day mortality comparing cemented with cementless THA, adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity, nation, and year of surgery. Results — Cumulative all-cause mortality within 90 days was 0.41% (CI 0.37–0.46) after cemented and 0.26% (CI 0.22–0.30) after cementless THA. The adjusted HR for cemented vs. cementless fixation was 0.97 (CI 0.79–1.2), and similar risk estimates were obtained for mortality within 14 (adjusted HR 0.91 [CI 0.64–1.3]) and 30 days (adjusted HR 0.94 [CI 0.71–1.3]). We found no clinically relevant differences in mortality between cemented and cementless THA in analyses stratified by age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, or year of surgery. Interpretation — After adjustment for comorbidity as an important confounder, we observed similar early mortality between the 2 fixation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose — Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is increasing as treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures. Several studies compare hemiarthroplasty (HA) with THA, but results vary and few studies report on medical complications. We examined the outcome of THA and HA with a focus on medical complications, hip complications, and death. Patients and methods — Data from the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register on 30,953 acute hip fracture patients treated with cemented THA or HA in 2005–2011 were cross-matched with Statistics Sweden for socioeconomic data and with the National Patient Register for diagnostic codes representing medical complications within 180 days or hip complications within the study period. Propensity score matching was used to create comparable groups based on age, sex, income, level of education, marital status, Elixhauser index, and year of surgery. Logistic regression models were created for each outcome. Results — 81% were treated with HA, 73% and 71% were female (HA and THA respectively). Matching resulted in 2 groups of 5,815 patients each. THA was associated with fewer medical complications (OR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.76–0.91) and lower 1-year mortality (OR = 0.42; CI 0.38–0.48), but more hip complications (OR = 1.31; CI 1.20–1.43). Interpretation — THA as treatment of hip fracture was associated with more hip-related complications than HA. The results on mortality and medical complications are, rather, influenced by residual confounding than by the implant design per se. An expansive use of THAs for hip fracture treatment, at the expense of HAs, is not recommended based on our findings if hip complications are to be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose — Hip arthroplasty is one of the most performed surgeries in Sweden, and the rate of adverse events (AEs) is fairly high. All patients in publicly financed healthcare in Sweden are insured by the Mutual Insurance Company of Swedish County Councils (Löf). We assessed the proportion of patients that sustained a major preventable AE and filed an AE claim to Löf. Patients and methods — We performed retrospective record review using the Global Trigger Tool to identify AEs in a Swedish multi-center cohort consisting of 1,998 patients with a total or hemi hip arthroplasty. We compared the major preventable AEs with all patient-reported claims to Löf from the same cohort and calculated the proportion of filed claims. Results — We found 1,066 major preventable AEs in 744 patients. Löf received 62 claims for these AEs, resulting in a claim proportion of 8%. 58 of the 62 claims were accepted by Löf and received compensation. The claim proportion was 13% for the elective patients and 0.3% for the acute patients. The most common AE for filing a claim was periprosthetic joint infection; of the 150 infections found 37 were claimed. Interpretation — The proportion of filed claims for major preventable AEs is very low, even for obvious and serious AEs such as periprosthetic joint infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose - The treatment of patients between 55 and 70 years with displaced intracapsular femoral neck fracture remains controversial. We compared internal fixation (IF), bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) in terms of mortality, reoperations and patient-reported outcome by using data from the Norwegian Hip Fracture Register. Patients and methods - We included 2,713 patients treated between 2005 and 2012. 1,111 patients were treated with IF, 1,030 with HA and 572 patients with THA. Major reoperations (defined as re-osteosynthesis, secondary arthroplasty, exchange, or removal of prosthesis components and Girdlestone procedure), patient-reported outcome measures (satisfaction, pain, and health-related quality of life (EQ5D) after 4 and 12 months), 1-year mortality, and change in treatment methods over the study period were investigated. Results - Major reoperations occurred in 27% after IF, 3.8% after HA and 2.8% after THA. 549 patients (20% of total study population) answered both questionnaires. Compared with IF, patients treated with THA were more satisfied after 4 and 12 months, reported less pain after 4 months and 12 months, had a higher EQ5D-index score after 4 months and 12 months, and EQ-VAS score after 4 months. Compared with IF, patients treated with HA were more satisfied and reported less pain after 4 months. EQ5D-index and EQ-VAS were similar. Patients treated with HA had higher 1-year mortality and had more comorbidities than both the THA and IF group. All these differences were statistically and clinically significant. Interpretation - This study showed high reoperation rate after IF and better patient-reported outcome after both THA and HA with medium follow-up. Patients selected for HA represented a frailer group than patients treated with THA or IF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in Sweden has shifted towards more arthroplasties, especially hemiarthroplasties. We describe the hemiarthroplasty population in Sweden 2005 through 2009. Methods Since 2005, the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register has registered hemiarthroplasties on a national basis. We assessed hemiarthroplasty procedures in the Register 2005-2009 regarding patient details, implants, and surgical techniques. Completeness of recordings was calculated compared to the Swedish National Patient Register. Results Completeness increased from 89% to 96% during the study period. 21,346 hemiarthroplasty procedures were assessed. The relative number of patients with femoral neck fracture as diagnosis increased from 91% to 94%; the proportion of men increased from 27% to 30%. The median age increased from 83 to 84 years in men and from 84 to 85 years in women. Patients classified as having evident cognitive impairment increased from 19% to 22%. More men than women were ASA 4. The proportion of monoblock-type implants (Austin-Moore and Thompson) decreased from 18% to 0.9%. Modular implants increased generally, but in 2009 bipolar implants decreased in favor of unipolar implants. Lubinus and Exeter stems, and Mega Caput and Vario Cup implant heads were most common. The use of uncemented implants decreased from 10% to 3%. Use of the anterolateral approach increased from 47% to 56%. Interpretation Important changes in surgical technique and implant choice occurred during the observation period. We interpret these changes as being reflections of the continuing effort by Swedish orthopedic surgeons to improve the quality of treatment, because the changes are consistent with recent findings in the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register and in other scientific studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter about the metaanalysis on treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures is presented.

Background and Purpose: Limited research has been conducted on basicervical femoral neck fractures (bFNFs). The importance of displacement in clinical outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to characterize patient demographics, degree of displacement, treatment, treatment failures, and reoperations in a cohort of fractures from the Swedish Fracture Register (SFR)., Methods: 1,260 fractures in 1,185 individuals ≥ 60 years who had a bFNF registered in the SFR at 6 orthopedic departments from 2011 to 2020 were screened through radiographic review. The final sample included 291 patients with a confirmed bFNF. The medical records of these 291 patients were reviewed. We assessed baseline characteristics, initial fracture dislocation, treatment methods, tip-apex distance, failures, reoperations, and mortality., Results: The mean age was 82 years (range 60-101, 55% women). 98 (34%) were undisplaced and 193 (66%) displaced. All patients underwent operative treatment. In the undisplaced group 95 (97%) patients received internal fixation (IF) and 3 (3%) had primary hip arthroplasty. In the displaced group 149 (77%) received IF and 41 (21%) had primary hip arthroplasty. 33 (11%) suffered treatment failure. When treating an undisplaced bFNF with IF, only 3 (3%) experienced treatment failure, in contrast to the 24 (16%) failure rate for a displaced bFNF., Conclusion: Undisplaced bFNFs have a low failure rate when treated with IF. For displaced bFNF treated with IF the failure rate is considerably higher. There is a need for further investigation of classification, treatment, and outcome of bFNF.