Purpose: This study evaluated the rate of mortality and analyzed the associated risk factors in elderly patients treated with bipolar hemiarthroplaty for the hip fractures.
Materials and Methods: Between March 1994 and March 2010, the clinical records of 246 patients(278 cases) older than 75 years of age who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplaty after hip fractures were reviewed. The mean age of the subjects was 83.7 years(75-103 years). The relationship between the postoperative one year mortality and the related factors (age, gender, type of hip fractures, the timing of surgery, the associated medical condition, ASA grade, osteoporosis, walking ability and residence type) were analyzed. The subjects were divided into the dead group and survivor group.
Results: The mean postoperative mortality rate within 1 year was 17.2%(48 cases). The highest mortality rate was observed at postoperative 3 months(9.7%, 27 cases), followed in order by between 4 and 6 months(5.4%, 15 cases) and 7 and 12 months(2.1%, 6 cases). The postoperative mortality rate within 1 year was affected by the timing of the operation, ASA grade, patient’s walking ability, and residence type, but there were no significant difference of the other factors, such as age, gender, osteoporosis, and type of hip fractures.
Conclusion: The ASA grade, timing of the operation, walking ability, and residence type are factors associated with the mortality rate in elderly patients with hip fractures.

Keywords: Elderly, Hip fracture, Bipolar hemiarthroplasty, Mortality rate