Hip fractures are common and increasing with an ageing population. In the United Kingdom, the national guidelines recommend operative intervention within 36 hours of diagnosis. However, long-term anticoagulant treatment is frequently encountered in these patients which can delay surgical intervention. Despite this, there are no set national standards for management of drug-induced coagulopathy pre-operatively in the context of hip fractures.The aim of this study was to evaluate the management protocols available in the current literature for the commonly encountered coagulopathy-inducing agents.We reviewed the current literature, identified the reversal agents used in coagulopathy management and assessed the evidence to determine the optimal timing, doses and routes of administration.Warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists (VKA) can be reversed effectively using vitamin K with a dose in the range of 2 mg to 10 mg intravenously to correct coagulopathy.The role of fresh frozen plasma is not clear from the current evidence while prothrombin complex remains a reliable and safe method for immediate reversal of VKA-induced coagulopathy in hip fracture surgery or failed vitamin K treatment reversal.The literature suggests that surgery should not be delayed in patients on classical antiplatelet medications (aspirin or clopidogrel), but spinal or regional anaesthetic methods should be avoided for the latter. However, evidence regarding the use of more novel antiplatelet medications (e.g. ticagrelor) and direct oral anticoagulants remains a largely unexplored area in the context of hip fracture surgery. We suggest treatment protocols based on best available evidence and guidance from allied specialties.Hip fracture surgery presents a common management dilemma where semi-urgent surgery is required. In this article, we advocate an evidence-based algorithm as a guide for managing these anticoagulated patients.Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2017;2:394–402. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.160083
ObjectiveThe aims of the current study were to determine whether pre-operative urinary tract infections in patients presenting acutely with neck of femur fractures resulted in a delay to surgery and whether such patients were at increased risk of developing post-operative surgical site infections.DesignA retrospective review of all patients presenting with a neck of femur fracture, at a single centre over a one-year period. The hospital hip fracture database was used as the main source of data.SettingUK University Teaching HospitalParticipantsAll patients (n = 460) presenting across a single year study period with a confirmed hip fracture.Outcome measuresThe presence of pre-operative urinary tract infection, the timing of surgical intervention, the occurrence of post-operative surgical site infection and the pathogens identified.ResultsA total of 367 patients were operated upon within 24 hours of admission. Urinary infections were the least common cause of delay. A total of 99 patients (21.5%) had pre-operative urinary tract infection. Post-operatively, a total of 57 (12.4%) patients developed a surgical site infection. Among the latter, 31 (54.4%) did not have a pre-operative urinary infection, 23 (40.4%) patients had a pre-operative urinary tract infection, 2 had chronic leg ulcers and one patient had a pre-operative chest infection. Statistically, there was a strong relationship between pre-operative urinary tract infection and the development of post-operative surgical site infection (p-value: 0.0005).ConclusionThe results of our study indicate that pre-operative urinary tract infection has a high prevalence amongst those presenting with neck of femur fractures, and this is a risk factor for the later development of post-operative surgical site infection.
Understanding any potential complications that may occur in relation to the use of a suture button for femoral graft fixation in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction can help raise awareness among surgeons and improve safety when using such implants. This is a systematic review of suture button related complications. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) databases from their year of inception until January 3, 2019. We included studies reporting on suture button related complications in their outcomes of femoral graft suture button fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Our search identified 479 articles, of which 19 met our inclusion criteria. Suture button misplacement (initial or subsequent migration) was the most commonly reported complication. Although, in most cases, button misplacement is minimal and does not adversely affect clinical outcomes, in some cases it may lead to graft failure or local soft tissue irritation and require further surgery. Intraoperative screening or arthroscopic evaluation of the deployed suture button may reduce this complication.
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