Comparison of the Piriformis-Sparing and Posterolateral Approaches in Cementless Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fractures.

Abstract

Purpose: With a focus on dislocation rates, this study aims to compare the posterior or posterolateral approach (PLA) with the piriformis-sparing approach (PSA) in elderly patients undergoing cementless hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 194 patients who met the eligibility criteria and underwent surgery using the PLA (n=140) or the PSA (n=54). Patient data were reviewed for age, sex, body mass index, postoperative dislocation rate, presence of neurological conditions or other comorbidities, surgical duration, length of hospital stay, follow-up period, infection rate, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mortality rate.

Results: In Group 1 (PLA), 12 out of 140 patients (8.6%) experienced dislocation within a postoperative period of 1 to 5 years. Dislocations occurred in three out of 54 patients (5.6%) in Group 2 (PSA). Although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.565), a significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of mortality (P=0.015) and surgical duration (P=0.0001).

Conclusion: In terms of functional outcomes and postoperative pain management, the advantages of modified PLA have been highlighted in recent studies. Although no statistically significant difference was found in this study, a 3% lower dislocation rate was demonstrated by the PSA as compared to the PLA.