Delayed surgical treatment of geriatric hip fractures increases the need for intensive care unit, morbidity and mortality rates

Objective: The aim of this study was to present the intensive care admission, morbidity and mortality rates of older adults with hip fractures who could not be operated in the first 48 hours after admission, which is the recommended time in literature. Patients and Methods: Patients aged >60 years of age with a hip fracture who were operated on in our clinic between January 2012 and June 2021 were identified. The patients were evaluated in 3 groups according to preoperative waiting time, as Group 1: 2-10 days, Group 2: 11-20 days, and Group 3: ≥21 days. Results: Mortality within 1 year was found to be 20% in Group 1, 31% in Group 2, and 50% in Group 3 (P=0.001). Preoperative waiting time did not affect complications related to surgery infection (P=0.890), implant failure (P=0.129) but surgeons had to deal with decubitus ulcer (P=0.016) and urinary tract infection (P=0.001). Patients with a long preoperative waiting time required preoperative intensive care (P=0.003). Conclusion: The study results demonstrate that as the preoperative waiting period increases, the mortality rate also increases, the need for intensive care before and after the operation increases, and there is increased morbidity due to a long hospital stay.