[Quality of life and survival after surgical treatment of metastatic femoral fractures].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To analyze the results of the surgical treatment of proximal femoral fractures secondary to metastatic bone disease, in terms of quality of life improvement and survival.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A transversal prospective study was carried out during a period of 15 months in which 20 fractures of femur from 19 patients were included, corresponding to 10 imminent fractures (IF) and 10 established fractures. Assessed final outcomes were associated complications, walking type at discharge and change in Karnofsky's scale after surgery. Mortality and survival after operation were also registered.

RESULTS

Surgical procedures performed were osteosynthesis (72%) and femoral arthroplasty (28%). With regard to complications, 1 patient died during the intra-operatory period and there was 1 failure of ostesyntesis that required re-operation. There was an improvement in the quality of life measured according to the Karnofsky scale after the surgery (P=.017). Survival after surgery was 2 months in the group of patients with impending fracture and 5 months in the group of patients with established fracture (P=.816).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who underwent surgery for a femoral fracture secondary to a metastatic disease showed an improvement in the quality of life, according to the Karnofsky scale. Although they represent a group of patients with a short survival, the control of pain and functional improvement justifiy the procedure.