[Perioperative complications of patients with cementless femoral head replacement].

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that use of cement is a risk factor for fat embolism in elderly patients with femoral neck fracture. We investigated the usefulness of the cementless femoral head replacement technique.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 58 patients who had undergone this technique between January 1995 and May 2001 was conducted. Perioperative complications, hospital length of stay, activities of daily living, and postoperative mortality were studied.

RESULTS

Of 58 patients, 42 (72.4%) were fe- males, and the mean age was 75.4 years. Twenty patients (69.0%) were classified as ASA class 2, and 50 patients (86.2%) had preoperative medical complications. Cardiovascular complications were the most prevalent, and 6 patients (10.3%) had serious perioperative complications, and postoperative death was noted in 1 patient within one month (1.7%), and 4 patients (6.9%) within one year. Average length of hospital stay was 64.2 days and activities of daily living were the same level as before the fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

Early rehabilitation was possible and hospital length of stay and activities of daily living were not inferior to the other treatments. We believe that cementless femoral head replacement technique was useful for elderly patients.