Impact of surgical approach on postoperative heterotopic ossification and avascular necrosis in femoral head fractures: a systematic review.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) and avascular necrosis (AVN) have been identified as post-traumatic complications of femoral head fractures and may lead to a restriction in hip function and permanent disability. The question of which surgical approach is the best for the femoral head fracture and its relationship with HO and AVN remains controversial. We conducted a systematic review in which all published studies were evaluated. We performed a literature search in MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, MD Consult, and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register from 1980 to April 2009. We found ten appropriate studies, describing 176 patients. A lower percentage of patients treated with a trochanteric flip approach was reported with HO than patients treated with anterior or posterior approach (33.3% versus 42.1% and 36.9%, respectively), although the difference was not statistically significant. The incidence of AVN was highest in the posterior approach group (16.9%), and subsequently with the trochanteric flip approach (12.5%) and the anterior group (7.9%). The investigators concluded that the use of the anterior approach may result in a higher risk for HO and the posterior approach may result in a higher risk for AVN. A new, posterior-based approach of trochanteric flip seems to be a better approach for femoral head fractures. A further case-control study would be appropriate to confirm the findings in our systematic review.