Arthroplasty or internal fixation for displaced femoral neck fractures: which is the optimal alternative for elderly patients? A meta-analysis

We conducted an up-to-date meta-analysis of 20 eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) containing 3,109 patients to compare arthroplasty with internal fixation of displaced femoral neck fractures regarding the effect on clinical outcomes. Computerised databases were searched for RCTs published from January 1979 to May 2008. The results showed that compared to internal fixation arthroplasty led to significantly fewer surgical complications at two and five years postoperatively and reduced the incidence of reoperation at one, two and five years postoperatively (P < 0.001). However, arthroplasty was associated with greater risk of deep wound infection, longer operating time and greater operative blood loss. Arthroplasty substantially increased the risk of reoperation following deep wound infection (P < 0.05). For mortality, there was increased postoperative risk for arthroplasty compared with internal fixation, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at the different follow-up times. For pain at one year postoperatively, the result showed no statistically significant difference.