OBJECTIVES

To determine (1) which factors are associated with the choice to perform an open reduction and (2) by adjusting for these factors, if the choice of reduction method is associated with reoperation.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study with radiograph and chart review.

SETTING

Twelve Level 1 North American trauma centers.

PATIENTS

Two hundred thirty-four adults 18-65 years of age with an isolated, displaced, OTA/AO type 31-B2 or type 31-B3 femoral neck fracture treated with internal fixation with minimum of 6-month follow-up or reoperation. Exclusion criteria were pathologic fractures, associated femoral head or shaft fractures, and primary arthroplasty.

INTERVENTION

Open or closed reduction technique during internal fixation.

MAIN OUTCOME

Cox proportional hazard of reoperation adjusting for propensity score for open reduction based on injury, demographic, and medical factors. Reduction quality was assessed by 3 senior orthopaedic traumatologists as "acceptable" or "unacceptable" on AP and lateral postoperative radiographs.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 1.5 years. One hundred six (45%) patients underwent open reduction. Reduction quality was not significantly affected by open versus closed approach (71% vs. 69% acceptable, P = 0.378). The propensity to receive an open reduction was associated with study center; younger age; male sex; no history of injection drug use, osteoporosis, or cerebrovascular disease; transcervical fracture location; posterior fracture comminution; and surgery within 12 hours. A total of 35 (33%) versus 28 (22%) reoperations occurred after open versus closed reduction (P = 0.056). Open reduction was associated with a 2.4-fold greater propensity-adjusted hazard of reoperation (95% confidence interval 1.3-4.4, P = 0.004). A total of 35 (15%) patients underwent subsequent total hip arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Open reduction of displaced femoral neck fractures in nonelderly adults is associated with a greater hazard of reoperation without significantly improving reduction. Prospective randomized trials are indicated to confirm a causative effect of open versus closed reduction on outcomes after femoral neck fracture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.