OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of modified physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) scoring system in predicting mortality and morbidity for the intertrochanteric fracture in elder patients.

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted over a period of nearly 2 years from January 2007 to December 2008. Complete data from 119 patients were analyzed to compare the mortality and morbidity predicted by the POSSUM and the observed mortality and morbidity. POSSUM risk was calculated using the original POSSUM equation.

RESULTSPOSSUM predicted 11(9.2%) deaths, which had no statistical significance with the observed mortality 5 (4.2%) (chi² = 2.412, P = 0.120). The estimated incidence of postoperative complications was 42 (35.3%), which also has no statistical significance with the observed morbidity 39 (32.8%) (chi² = 0.168, P = 0.682).

CONCLUSIONSThe modified POSSUM scoring system can predict accurately postoperative mortality and morbidity for the patients underwent intertrochanteric fracture and it predict more accurately in high risk band. The physiological score can be used to evaluate the physiological conditions preoperative and the pulmonary disease is the most important factor lead to death of the elder patients underwent intertrochanteric fracture.