Abstract
This study examined factors affecting the period of the hospital stay of patients who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHP) for femoral neck fracture. During the period 2000—2003, 45 patients (11 men and 34 women)with a mean age of 75.3 years (range, 51-91 years) were enrolled in this study. A univariate analysis of the following variables was performed: age, preoperative period of the hospital stay, preoperative complication of diabetes and/or dementia, postoperative complication, period until out of bed activity after surgery, environmental conditions of the home, and walking ability was performed. The period of the hospital stay was significantly shorter in patients over 85-years-old compared with those younger than 85 years (25 days/41.5 days). It was also significantly shorter in patients who were out of bed within four days compared with others (2.9 days/12.8 days).
The results of this study showed that elderly patients and starting rehabilitation soon after surgery resulted in reduction of the hospital stay. In contrast, preoperative complications such as diabetes, and high level walking activity were important predictors of prolongation of the hospital stay.
