Major Complications and Transfusion Rates After Hemiarthroplasty and Total Hip Arthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fractures

Postoperative complications and perioperative transfusions are common after hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty (THA) and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality.

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database was queried to compare 30-day major complications and perioperative transfusions after femoral neck fractures.

A total of 4058 patients were included in the study: 3192 were treated with hemiarthroplasty and 866 with THA. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that having a THA was not an independent risk factor for major complications (odds ratio = 0.8, P = .18) but was an independent risk factor for requiring transfusions (odds ratio = 1.68, P < .001).

The risk of major complications is influenced by patient factors rather than the choice of procedure. However, THA was a risk factor for transfusions after controlling for all other variables.