OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical result and assess clinical value of cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty with a novel cerclage cable technique for treatment of unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures in senile patients.

METHODSForty-eight consecutive patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures were treated in our hospital from March 2001 to March 2006 (Evans type III in 11 cases, Evans type IV in 25 cases and Evans type V in 22 cases). All the cases were evaluated by Zuckerman functional recovery score (FRS) and operative risk assessment software 1 (ORAS1), which were based on the patients' physical and laboratory examinations preoperatively. Seventeen cases (19 hips) were treated with cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty. There were 5 male cases (5 hips) and 12 female cases (14 hips, including 2 patients who suffered from additional slight injuries and resulted in contralateral hip fracture and were treated with the same procedure 3 months after the first operation). The average age was 85 years (78-95 years). All the operations were carried out under general anesthesia, through Southern incision and lateral approach by the same orthopaedic surgeon. All prostheses consisted of Link SPII femoral stem and bipolar femoral head. All patients were followed up for more than 30 days.

RESULTSThe operative risks of all the 17 cases (19 hips) were calculated by ORAS1 preoperatively. The average preoperative FRS was 81.7 (80.7-82.7). The average predictive value of operative morbidity was 10% (7%-15%). The average predictive value of mortality was 2.97% (2.1%-3.2%). The average operation time was 1.5 hours. The average blood transfusion was 400 ml. There were no operative or anesthetic complications and no deaths within 30 days after operation. Sitting up was permitted 3 to 4 days after operation, and partial weight bearing was permitted 5 to 7 days after operation. Patients were allowed to walk with a walker 10 days after operation. The average FRS was 78.7 at 30 days postoperatively. No patient died during at least one year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough the value of the technique of cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric hip fracture is not widely recognized, we have consistently achieved satisfactory results with strict preoperative risk assessment, strict indication selection and systematic postoperative rehabilitation.