Delay in time from fracture to surgery: A potential risk factor for in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with hip fractures

Purpose: To estimate the Impact of delay in surgery for elderly hip fractures on short term outcome measured in terms of in-hospital mortality.

Methods: Retrospective study involving patients above 60 years of age with a primary diagnosis of hip fracture treated by surgery to analyze the relation between timing of surgery and in-hospital mortality.

Results: There were 144 patients who met the criteria. Delayed surgery more than 48 h was associated with higher in-hospital mortality risk. (OR:8.3, 95% CI 1.04-66.64, p = 0.01).

Conclusions: Delay in hip fracture surgery increases in-hospital mortality risk.