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Orthopedic Trauma Directions 2006; 4(4): 19-26
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-944281
Clinical topic
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Hip fractures

The effect of early versus delayed surgery on mortality, hospital stay, and complications in elderly patients
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Publication History

Publication Date:
09 August 2006 (online)

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Summary

We report on five class of evidence I or II studies that examined the impact of delayed surgical treatment on outcome following hip fracture. Patients with delayed surgery appear to have longer hospital stays, increased pain, and possibly diminished physical functioning following surgery compared with those with early surgical intervention. Overall, surgical delay does not appear to be associated with increased risk of mortality after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Surgical delay is not associated with postoperative complications.