Evidence mapPaperPMID 41284064Full record

SynthesisEuropean journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie2025

Screw fixation versus hemiarthroplasty for undisplaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly: a meta-analysis.

Marc Boutros, Guy Awad, Georgy Kattan, Joe Azar, Daniel Boudani, Shafiq Babar

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewComparative Study
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Synthesis in European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Marc BoutrosFaculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon. marceboutros@gmail.com.
Guy AwadFaculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Georgy KattanFaculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Joe AzarFaculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Daniel BoudaniDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, US.
Shafiq BabarDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, US.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionScrew fixation and hemiarthroplasty are commonly used surgical options for treating undisplaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly. While fixation preserves the native joint, arthroplasty offers immediate mechanical stability. The optimal treatment remains controversial.

methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar through June 2025. Twelve studies (including randomised controlled trials and observational cohorts) encompassing 2190 patients treated with screw fixation and 2606 with hemiarthroplasty were included. Outcomes assessed included intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rates, operation time, hospital stay, pain scores, Harris Hip Score, complication and reoperation rates, and mortality at 1 month and 1 year.

resultsScrew fixation was associated with significantly less intraoperative blood loss (MD =  - 162.79 mL), shorter surgery time (MD =  - 31.68 min), and reduced transfusion requirements (RR = 0.30). Hospital stay was shorter by 3.5 days on average. Pain scores at final follow-up were similar between groups (p = 0.55), while Harris Hip Scores were slightly higher with fixation (MD = 2.09), though of questionable clinical relevance. However, fixation carried a markedly higher risk of reoperation (RR = 3.54) and complications such as non-union and osteonecrosis. Mortality at 1 month and 1 year trended lower in the fixation group but did not reach statistical significance.

conclusionsScrew fixation provides notable perioperative advantages and comparable long-term functional outcomes in select elderly patients with undisplaced femoral neck fractures. However, it is offset by a significantly higher risk of failure and reoperation. Hemiarthroplasty, while more invasive, ensures greater mechanical reliability and lower revision rates. Treatment decisions should be individualized based on patient frailty, fracture characteristics, and mobility goals.

Indexed as

Bone ScrewsFemoral Neck FracturesFracture Fixation, InternalHemiarthroplastyAgedBlood Loss, SurgicalBlood TransfusionHumansLength of StayOperative TimePostoperative ComplicationsReoperationElderly patientsFemoral neck fractureHemiarthroplastyInternal fixationScrew fixationUndisplaced fracture

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.