The role of strut grafts and comorbidities in locking plate fixation of femoral fractures : A retrospective study
Pesari, Esko (2025-04-10)
The role of strut grafts and comorbidities in locking plate fixation of femoral fractures : A retrospective study
(10.04.2025)
Julkaisu on tekijänoikeussäännösten alainen. Teosta voi lukea ja tulostaa henkilökohtaista käyttöä varten. Käyttö kaupallisiin tarkoituksiin on kielletty.
suljettu
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on:
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025041628442
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025041628442
Tiivistelmä
This study investigated all femoral fractures treated with locking plate fixation at Turku University Hospital (Tyks) between 2015 and 2021. The primary aim was to determine the proportion of plated femoral fractures that failed and required reoperations.
Data were collected on patient characteristics including age, fracture type, ASA classification, comorbidities, the presence of hip or knee prostheses, use of a strut graft (bone graft), complications, and the occurrence and timing of reoperation. Patients were identified using the procedure code NFJ62 (femoral fracture fixation with plate). A total of 338 patients were initially identified, of whom 289 patients with 292 fractures met the final inclusion criteria. Only patients aged over 16 years were included. Patients with hereditary bone disease, pathological fractures, or intraoperative fractures were excluded.
The final cohort comprised 289 patients with a total of 292 fractures. The median age was 81 years, and 218 patients (75 %) were female. Of the primary operations, 247 (85 %) resulted in successful outcomes, defined as fracture healing without the need for reoperation. Non-union occurred in 20 % of cases, while infections were observed in 3 % of patients. Additionally, 4 % sustained a new fracture during follow-up, and 1 % underwent implant removal due to mechanical irritation.
A total of 58 patients were treated with a strut graft, of whom 11 (19%) required reoperation, compared to 15% among those treated without a strut graft.
The study did not identify any single factor—such as the use of a strut graft or the presence of multiple comorbidities—that had a statistically significant association with higher risk of reoperation. The findings are consistent with previous research, although prospective studies are needed to further identify these less well-known factors to better clinical patient outcomes.
Data were collected on patient characteristics including age, fracture type, ASA classification, comorbidities, the presence of hip or knee prostheses, use of a strut graft (bone graft), complications, and the occurrence and timing of reoperation. Patients were identified using the procedure code NFJ62 (femoral fracture fixation with plate). A total of 338 patients were initially identified, of whom 289 patients with 292 fractures met the final inclusion criteria. Only patients aged over 16 years were included. Patients with hereditary bone disease, pathological fractures, or intraoperative fractures were excluded.
The final cohort comprised 289 patients with a total of 292 fractures. The median age was 81 years, and 218 patients (75 %) were female. Of the primary operations, 247 (85 %) resulted in successful outcomes, defined as fracture healing without the need for reoperation. Non-union occurred in 20 % of cases, while infections were observed in 3 % of patients. Additionally, 4 % sustained a new fracture during follow-up, and 1 % underwent implant removal due to mechanical irritation.
A total of 58 patients were treated with a strut graft, of whom 11 (19%) required reoperation, compared to 15% among those treated without a strut graft.
The study did not identify any single factor—such as the use of a strut graft or the presence of multiple comorbidities—that had a statistically significant association with higher risk of reoperation. The findings are consistent with previous research, although prospective studies are needed to further identify these less well-known factors to better clinical patient outcomes.