The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a geriatric-anesthesiologic intervention program for the prevention and treatment of acute confusional states (ACS) in elderly patients treated for femoral neck fractures. The intervention program was based on the results of previous prospective studies in similar patient populations. The outcome of the intervention, comprising 103 patients, was compared with that of an earlier study comprising 111 patients. The intervention program consisted of pre- and post-operative geriatric assessments, oxygen therapy, early surgery, prevention and treatment of peri-operative blood pressure falls and treatment of post-operative complications. The incidence of ACS was lower, 47.6%, in the intervention study compared with 61.3% (P less than 0.05) in the control study. Furthermore, the ACS that occurred in the intervention study was less severe and of shorter duration than that in the control study. The incidence of post-operative decubital ulcers, severe falls, and urinary retention was also lower. The mean duration of orthopedic ward stay was 17.4 days in the control study and 11.6 days in the intervention study (P less than 0.001). It can be concluded that the intervention program reduced the incidence, severity, and duration of ACS which resulted in a shortened orthopedic ward stay.

The stability of hook-pin fixation during weight bearing was studied in 29 femoral neck fractures using roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis. Twenty-three fractures became stable within 1 to 9 months, whereas redisplacement or continuing movement of the fracture occurred in 6 cases. Displaced fractures shortened about 7 mm more than undisplaced ones before healing. The rotations of the femoral heads were greatest in the forward/backward direction, followed by varus-valgus tilting in both fracture groups. Rotation about the longitudinal axis was recorded in the displaced fractures, mainly as a retroversion, whereas no rotation occurred about this axis in the undisplaced fractures. Healing after 6 months, intermediate fracture fragments, and a decreased Pauwels' angle seemed to imply increased fracture compression or rotatory instability. Fractures that subsequently developed healing complications displayed an increased distal displacement of the femoral head during the first postoperative month.

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