EXETER TRAUMA STEM VERSUS THOMPSON HEMIARTHROPLASTY: ARE THE NICE GUIDELINES REALLY NICE?

Implant choice was changed from cemented Thompson to Exeter Trauma Stem (ETS) for treatment of displaced intra-capsular neck of femur fractures in University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, United Kingdom (a major trauma center), following the NICE guidelines that advised about the use of a proven femoral stem design rather than Austin Moore or Thompson stems for hemiarthroplasties.The aim of our study was to compare the results of Thompson versus ETS hemiarthroplasty in Aintree.We initially compared 100 Thompson hemiarthroplasties that were performed before the start of ETS use, with 100 ETS hemiarthroplasties.There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of patients' demographics (age, sex and ASA grade), intra-operative difficulties/complications, post op medical complications, blood transfusion, in-patient stay and dislocations.The operative time was statistically significantly longer in the ETS group (p= .0067). Worryingly, the 30 days mortality in ETS group was more ...