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Patients with metastatic bone disease may benefit from prophylactic femoral fixation
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Prophylactic femoral fixation for metastatic bone disease benefits patients with impending femur fractures compared with patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty, according to results.
Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, researchers retrospectively identified 1,849 patients with and without metastatic bone disease treated by prophylactic fixation or hemiarthroplasty between 2006 and 2011.
Sarah M. Kreul
Results showed no significant differences in complications between patients undergoing surgical treatment for impending or actual femoral fractures. Researchers found patients with metastatic bone disease being treated with hemiarthroplasty had a rate of death within 30 days postoperatively of 5.56% vs. 3.30% for patients being treated with prophylactic fixation. Higher rates of wound infection were found among obese patients, while underweight patients were more likely to develop pneumonia or die within 30 days postoperatively, according to results. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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