CHARACTERIZATION OF THE OCCURRENCE OF FRACTURES IN THE ELDERLY: AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY IN A PUBLIC HOSPITAL^*

ABSTRACT

Objective:  To find out about the main postoperative complications and the clinical outcome of elderly people after corrective fracture surgery.

Method:  a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out in a public hospital in Minas Gerais, Brazil, between August and October 2021. Data was obtained through interviews and medical records and analyzed using the Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests.

Results:  The main postoperative complications were pain, bleeding, and mental confusion. The variables correlated with the number of complications were outcome (p=0.016), ASA classification (p=0.047) and postoperative time (p=0.002). As for the type of fracture, it was the destination sector (p=0.002) and length of stay (p>0.0001).

Conclusion:  This study provides the team with greater knowledge about the profile of the elderly, to improve surgical planning and reduce the factors correlated with the presence of postoperative complications.

DESCRIPTORS: Elderly; Bone fractures; Postoperative Complications; Nursing; Surgical Procedures; Operative.

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Main causes of fractures in the elderly.

2. Most common postoperative complications after surgery.

3. Variables statistically related to the number of complications and type of fracture.