Outcomes for centenarian patients admitted with orthopaedic trauma

Introduction

The United Kingdom (UK) and world's population is aging with patients living longer, often with many co-morbidities. It is expected that patients of extreme old age would have poor outcomes following trauma; however, this assumption is not clearly evidenced. This study aims to present the outcomes of patients aged 100 or older admitted to a single hospital trust following admission for orthopaedic trauma.

Method

A prospective cohort of patients aged 100 years and over admitted to the trauma and orthopaedic departments of two hospitals within the same trust between 2008 and 2022 was reviewed. Age was median 101 years (100–106 years). Outcome measures were length of stay, survival, complications and change in accommodation.

Results

80 patients met the inclusion criteria (71female, 9 male). Mean age at discharge was 102.5 years with survival mean 4.2 years. 2 patients with peri-prosthetic fracture survived a further 5 years. Mean length of stay was 17 days. 57 patients returned to their original place of residence. 72 patients (90 %) survived the acute hospital admission.

Conclusion

Survival rates for patients aged over 100 years were high and most returned to the previous place of residence. This study supports the surgical management of trauma and helps inform patients and families expectations for mortality risk.