Treatment of femoral neck fracture by Moore Prosthesis in Cotonou

Background: Femoral bone neck fracture is a frequent and severe pathology in the elderly. Arthroplasty is the first therapeutic method intended in cases involving the elderly. The Austin Moore arthroplasty is the only method used in our centre in Benin Republic since 1989. The aim of this study is to present our experience. Patients and methods: This retrospective study was performed from January 1997 to December 2004.  There were 37 patients seen at the University Clinic of Traumatology, Orthopedic and Plastic Surgery in Cotonou (National Hospital). Among those 37 cases, 10 have been reviewed after an average period of 7 years.  Results: Most of those patients (90%) were aged over 60 years. Their mean age was 72.4 years. The most common causes of the fracture were falls from height and slipping.  After the operation, 84% of the patients began to walk within the hospitalization period. There was no case of death within the surgery period. The main complication recorded (in 25 % of the cases) is postoperative infection.  Hip function evaluation according to the “Postel-Merle D'aubigne” scale for the ten patients who could be re-assessed was done. Results are satisfactory (very good or good) for 9 patients and bad for only one patient. On x-ray evaluation, 7 patients out of the ten, showed acetabular erosion.  Keywords: Benin; hip; Moore prosthesis; results.