An evaluation of the "quoad vitam" prognosis in the elderly patient with medial fracture of the femoral neck.

The authors analyzed 425 consecutive cases of medial fracture of the femoral neck with the purpose of establishing a simple and practical system, and one which is easy to use, in order to evaluate this type of lesion and to compare different series of cases. Based on these criteria the death rate occurring intra-hospital and 6 months after trauma, the influence of the age factor, the type of anesthesia used and the type of treatment carried out, were evaluated. The results were as follows: The classification devised by the American Society of Anesthesiology continues to be an effective system for the evaluation of vital risk. The death rate was always directly related to age, and it was not influenced by either the type of anesthesia or the type of surgery used; however, it doubled when non-surgical treatment was used.