Outcomes of internal fixation versus hemiarthroplasty for elderly patients with an undisplaced femoral neck fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Although internal fixation has been the main treatment option for elderly patients with an undisplaced femoral neck fracture, it is associated with a high reoperation rate. Some surgeons have discussed the use of hemiarthroplasty, but there is limited literature comparing these two treatment modalities. In this study, we compared the perioperative results of hemiarthroplasty with internal fixation for undisplaced femoral neck fractures. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive review of literatures on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials and comparative observational studies. Of the 441 studies initially identified, 3 met all inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently graded study quality and abstracted relevant data including reoperation rate, mortality rate, Harris Hip Score (HHS), length of hospital stay, and operation duration. RESULTS: Our results revealed that hemiarthroplasty was associated with a lower reoperation rate than the internal fixation group (OR 4.489; 95% CI 2.030 to 9.927). Mortality rate at postoperative 1 month and 1 year and HHS at postoperative 1 year and 2 years were not different. Length of hospital stay (SMD − 0.800, 95% CI − 1.011 to − 0.589) and operation duration (SMD − 2.497, 95% CI − 2.801 to − 2.193) were shorter in the internal fixation group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the internal fixation group, patients that underwent hemiarthroplasty had a lower reoperation rate and an equivalent overall mortality rate. Our meta-analysis suggests that hemiarthroplasty might be a better treatment choice than internal fixation in treating elderly patients with an undisplaced femoral neck fracture.