HIFSAT
Study of surgical approach in hip fracture
Project managers
Postdoc
PhD fellow
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The most common operation for hip fractures is to replace the entire hip joint with a cemented hemiprosthesis. After such an injury and operation, many patients never achieve the same level of function as before the injury, and this is a great burden for the patients, but also for their relatives and for the care sector.
A new surgical method, called the SPAIRE approach, preserves many of the anatomical structures that are usually cut during a hemiprosthesis operation.
The randomized controlled HIFSAT study will investigate whether patients operated on using the SPAIRE method have better function and mobility after surgery, compared with patients operated on using the current standard method (so-called lateral approach). This may have implications for hip fracture treatment both nationally and internationally.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Patients over 50 years of age, admitted to a study hospital with an acute femoral neck fracture, will be eligible for participation. The researchers plan to include 406 patients. Inclusion began on April 30, 2024.
Half of the study patients will be randomized to undergo surgery using the SPAIRE approach and half will undergo surgery using the lateral approach. Patients will be followed up 4, 12 and 24 months after surgery to measure function and pain.
Patients are included in the ward before surgery.
Patients who cannot come for outpatient check-ups should be checked at an institution or at home.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?
In HIFSAT (The Hip Fracture Surgical Approach Trial), the standard surgical approach (Direct Lateral Approach, where the gluteus medius is released to enter the hip joint) is compared with a new muscle-sparing posterior approach, SPAIRE (Saving Piriformis and Internus, Repair Externus).
The study is a collaborative project with Ahus and Ullevål, OUS.
The study could potentially improve function and pain in a highly vulnerable patient group, and the study could also have great significance internationally.
The main outcome measure is the Harris Hip score, after 4 months, which measures both function and pain in patients who have had hip surgery.
In the study, the researchers will also examine a number of other outcome measures, such as quality of life, length of hospitalization and prosthesis placement, etc.