Study of mid and long term outcome of hip fracture in elderly operated within 48 hours versus conservative management

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>Hip fractures are commonly associated with high morbidities and mortalities. This study aimed to determine post-hip fracture outcomes and survival among patients who underwent operation within 48 hours of fracture diagnosis and among those being treated conservatively.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Hospital Seberang Jaya among patients diagnosed with hip fracture from January to December 2016; confirmed clinical and radiological method. Descriptive analysis was conducted using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results: </strong>The mean (SD) age of the 61 operated patients was 74 (7.7) years and for the 19 conservatively managed patients 79 (8.0) years. At 12 months, 30 (37.5%) of operated ones, required assisted mobility compared to 8 (10%) of conservatively managed patients. Other outcomes comparable between operated and conservative patients at 12 months post-intervention include: ability to feed on own 46 (57.5%) versus 7 (8.8%), able to dress on own, 45 (56.3%) versus 6 (7.5%); able to bathe on own; 43 (53.8%) versus 2 (2.5%), and independently attending to own toilet needs 44 (55.0%) versus 1 (1.3%). Our study revealed, overall survival were comparatively better among those operated to conservative at 12 months; 52 (85%) versus 9 (47.4%). The mortality at 12 months in the conservative group is much higher than operative group.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Ambulatory mobility and survival are significantly better at 12 months post-fracture among the operated patients. Hip fracture must be treated as an emergency and its surgical management given priority.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>

194 Referral of Paediatric Fractures from The Emergency Department to Virtual Fracture Clinic

Introduction Virtual Fracture clinics (VFCs) are an alternative to the traditional fracture clinic. Recent evidence reports them to be safe, cost-effective, and efficient model without significant compromise to patient care. Aim This audit aims to assess VFC referrals from the paediatric emergency department (ED) and ensure the appropriateness of these referrals. Method This was a retrospective audit done at a large district general hospital in the United Kingdom (UK). We included patients under 18 years old presented to the emergency department with suspected or confirmed fractures and referred to virtual fracture clinics within a period of one month. The performance was measured against both local and national guidance (NICE & BOAST 7). Results Thirty patients were eligible. Thirty-three per cent of patients were appropriately referred to the VFC and ’seen’ within 72 hours. Comparing those referred 63.3% were appropriate, with inappropriate referrals mainly due to false-positive fracture diagnosis or fractures safe to be discharged home. Only 67.8% per cent of patients were managed correctly as per suspected or confirmed diagnosis with regards to fixation (i.e., splint). Conclusions The target of 100% compliance has failed. Fractures deemed safe to be discharged home from the ED are being repeated referred, radiographic interpretations often over-diagnose, and management within the department in sub-optimal. Recommendations include improving junior radiographic interpretation skills and awareness of the local and national guidelines, with another audit cycle to assess for improvement.

Association of Body Mass Index on Injuries and Outcomes After Ground-Level Falls

Background The impact of body mass index (BMI) on trauma severity after ground-level falls (GLF) is currently unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations between BMI, injuries, and outcomes after GLF. Study Design All patients ≥16 years of age injured by GLF were queried from the TQIP database (2013-2017). Exclusions were transfers, emergency department death, AIS 6 in any region, and missing data. Body mass index defined study groups: Underweight (BMI<18.5), Normal (BMI 18.5-24.9), Overweight (25.0-29.9), and Obese (≥30). Results After exclusions, 131 570 patients remained for analysis. Most patients had a normal BMI (n = 58 503, 44%). Median ISS was 9 [IQR 9-10] in all groups. The Obese group had significantly lower rates of fractures than the Normal group, particularly femur fractures (53% vs. 64%, P < .001), but required orthopedic surgical intervention more frequently (45% vs. 41%, P < .001). On multivariate analysis, being overweight was protective against mortality (OR .881, P = .005), while obesity was not associated with mortality (OR 1.012, P = .821). Conclusion Increasing BMI may be protective against both fracture risk and mortality after GLF. However, obese patients require operative fixation more frequently. Particularly as fracture diagnosis may be more challenging in the obese, special care should be taken during their tertiary surveys after GLF to ensure injuries are not missed.

Pediatric Femoral Neck Fractures after Sliding in a Water Slide: A Case Report of Two Patients

Introduction: In contrast to adults, fractures of the neck of femur in children are relatively rare. The commonly described mechanism of injury is high energy trauma. Treatment options are almost always surgical. Prognosis, which entails relatively high rates of complications, varies with specific anatomic location, time to surgery, and reduction quality. Case Report: We describe two cases of 10- and 12-year-old girls who suffered a fracture of the neck of the femur, Delbet Type II and Type III, respectively, due to a suspected hyper-abduction injury while sliding on a water slide. Both patients were treated surgically, with the younger one developing signs of femoral head avascular necrosis a year postoperatively. Conclusion: Children with pain and an inability to bear weight after water sliding together with an adult companion at their backs should raise suspicion among medical staff of a femoral neck fracture. Prompt pediatric orthopedic consultation and treatment are needed in case of fracture diagnosis to reduce the risk of complications. Keywords: Avascular necrosis, child, femoral neck fracture.

Epidemiology of Clavicle Fractures Sustained at a Colorado Ski Resort

Background: Although clavicle fractures are a common sports injury, there are limited studies on the incidence and causes of clavicle fractures among winter sports athletes. Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics and injury mechanisms associated with clavicle fractures among patients evaluated at a Colorado ski resort. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive analysis of patients with clavicle fractures at the Denver Health Winter Park Medical Center during the 2012-2013 to 2016-2017 ski seasons. Chart review was performed on the patient cohort to confirm clavicle fracture diagnosis and to evaluate factors associated with clavicle fracture. Results: A total of 393 clavicle fractures (6.2% of total clinic visits) occurred during the study period, corresponding to an overall clavicle fracture incidence of 8.4 per 100,000 participant-visits. The mean patient age was 26.4 years (range, 5-73 years). The majority were middle-third fractures (85.5%), occurring mainly in men (87.3%). More than half of the fractures were comminuted (54.5%) and occurred in snowboarders (55.0%). The most common mechanism of injury was a fall onto snow while skiing or snowboarding (92.4%). Women sustained more clavicle fractures while skiing compared with snowboarding (82.0% vs 18.0%; P < .001), while men sustained more fractures while snowboarding compared with skiing (60.3% vs 39.7%; P < .001). Conclusion: Clavicle fractures are relatively common, but there are scant incidence data for clavicle fractures in mountain sports. Consistent with prior studies, clavicle fractures were more common in younger patients and men. The most common anatomic fracture location was the midclavicle. A greater proportion of clavicle fractures among men were sustained during snowboarding and among women during skiing.

When Fat Hits the Brain: Intraventricular and Subarachnoid Fat Migration Secondary to a Complex Sacropelvic Fracture—Diagnosis and Treatment

Massive migration of fat droplets in the ventricles and the subarachnoid space is a very rare sequel of spinal trauma. Owing to its rarity, knowledge about treatment and outcome remains limited. We report on the uncommon occurrence of massive subarachnoid and intraventricular fat dissemination in a 41-year-old man who suffered a complex sacropelvic fracture with spondylopelvic dissociation but who had no head injury. We show that early placement of an external ventricular drain with prolonged drainage for washout of the fat depots can prevent chronic hydrocephalus and subsequent shunt dependency.