Abdominal complications after geriatric hip fracture surgery: Epidemiological analysis and identification of risk factors

Abdominal complications, such as postoperative ileus or acute cholecystitis, though not commonly encountered, represent a significant challenge in the management of patients admitted to orthopaedic wards following surgical procedures. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of abdominal postoperative complications following geriatric hip fracture surgery and to identify potential risk factors. Elderly patients with a hip fracture, and operated on by the same surgical team in 2023 were evaluated. Demographic variables such as age and gender, fracture type, and surgical procedures (proximal femoral nail vs. partial prosthesis) were recorded. Abdominal complications that only developed during initial hospitalization were investigated. Of the 97 patients included in the study, the incidence of abdominal complications following geriatric hip fracture surgery was 6.1% (6 patients). The incidence for postoperative ileus, acute cholecystitis, spleen infarction, and rectal bleeding were calculated as 2.1%, 2.1%, 1%, and 1%, respectively. Further analyses demonstrated a weak correlation between the development of abdominal complications and operation type (p=0.025, r=0.259). No correlation was observed between age, gender and fracture type and the development of abdominal complications. Abdominal complications after geriatric hip fracture surgery are rare, and require a multidisciplinary approach to management. Surgeons should be aware of this potential complication and necessary assessments should be performed before discharge, especially in patients undergoing arthroplasty.