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· DOS Abstracts
Management of hip fractures in Denmark: a
questionnaire
Peter Hedelund Rabøl
Department of Orthopedics, Odense University Hospital
Background:
Management of hip fractures (HipFx) are part of the daily ac-
tivities in most orthopaedic departments. The typical patient is geriatric with
several co-morbidities. Post-operative mortality remains high and reoperations
are frequent. In 2008 the Danish Orthopaedic Society published updated man-
agement guidelines for HipFx patients to help standardize treatment according
to best evidence.
Purpose / Aim of Study:
We sought to investigate to which extent the guide-
lines are used today in the Danish orthopaedic departments treating HipFx. Our
focuses were surgeon experience and supervision, fracture classification and
implant selection, co-work with geriatricians and out-patient follow-up.
Materials and Methods:
We composed an online questionnaire distributed to
all 24 Danish orthopaedic departments treating HipFx. The response rate was
100%. 2 departments declined due to very low frequency of HipFxs.
Findings / Results:
In 13 of the 22 departments, HipFxs were primarily treated
by junior surgeons. Rate of supervision varied and 10 departments had no for-
malized operative training. 10 co-worked with Geriatricians and only 5 provided
out-patient follow-up. 16 used surgical algorithms for choice of implant, which
to some extent appeared in accordance with the Danish Orthopaedic Society
guidelines.
Conclusions:
The parts of the Danish Orthopaedic Society guidelines covered
in this study were widely used across the country. However, HipFxs were pri-
marily operated by junior surgeons, with several departments lacking formalized
training and supervision. Also less than half of departments co-worked with
Geriatricians. In our opinion, these aspects need focus for further optimizing the
HipFx treatment in Denmark.
No conflicts of interest reported
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