Comparison of the Piriformis-Sparing and Posterolateral Approaches in Cementless Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fractures.

PURPOSE: With a focus on dislocation rates, this study aims to compare the posterior or posterolateral approach (PLA) with the piriformis-sparing approach (PSA) in elderly patients undergoing cementless hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective study included 194 patients who met the eligibility criteria and underwent surgery using the PLA (n=140) or the PSA (n=54). Patient data were reviewed for age, sex, body mass index, postoperative dislocation rate, presence of neurological conditions or other comorbidities, surgical duration, length of hospital stay, follow-up period, infection rate, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mortality rate.

RESULTS

In Group 1 (PLA), 12 out of 140 patients (8.6%) experienced dislocation within a postoperative period of 1 to 5 years. Dislocations occurred in three out of 54 patients (5.6%) in Group 2 (PSA). Although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.565), a significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of mortality (P=0.015) and surgical duration (P=0.0001).

CONCLUSION

In terms of functional outcomes and postoperative pain management, the advantages of modified PLA have been highlighted in recent studies. Although no statistically significant difference was found in this study, a 3% lower dislocation rate was demonstrated by the PSA as compared to the PLA.