Hazards with hips in theatre

Abstract

Hip fractures are common and place a significant burden on patients and the healthcare system.¹ According to the UK National Hip Fracture Database, the number of patients sustaining a hip fracture annually is predicted to increase from 77 000 cases in 2009 towards 100 000 cases in 2033 in line with the ageing demography of the population.² Approximately 60 per cent of surgical procedures are performed on patients more than 65 years of age.³ The poor medical condition of these patients is evident in the reported distribution of preoperative ASA physical status scores: approximately 50 per cent of patients are designated ASA class III, while another ten per cent are classified as ASA IV.⁴