Prevention and control of postoperative infections in elderly patients with hip fracture

OBJECTIVE To explore the prevention and control measures for the postoperative infections in the elderly with hip fracture so as to preveht and control the postoperative infections and improve the cure rate.METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of 223 elderly patients with hip fracture,who were treated in the hospital from Jan 2008 to Dec 2010.RESULTS Of 223 patients with hip fracture,there were 167(74.9%) patients with one or more other diseases,for example: cardiovascular,diabetes and respiratory diseases.All patients were treated between 1 and 14 days(4.29 days on the average).They were treated by internal fixation,hemiarthroplasty or total hip replacement.After surgery,there were 2(0.9%) patients of surgical site infection,1(0.45%) patient of respiratory infection and 3(1.35%) patients of urinary tract infection.CONCLUSION To prevent the postoperative infection following hip fracture in the elderly,in addition to the antibiotic prophylaxis,we should ask the relative physician for consultation as soon as possible,assess the general situation and design the therapeutic regimen for perioperative treatment.Besides,we should give them the perioperative analgesia,and teach them to get up for functional exercise.