Current concepts review - Postoperative delirium after hip fracture

A hip fracture is sustained by 250,000 Americans every year. The most common complication associated with hip fracture is delirium. Delirium is a serious medical condition that consists of a disturbance of consciousness with a reduced ability to focus, sustain, or shift attention. > Multiple studies have shown that patients with postoperative delirium are less likely to return to their preinjury level of function, are more frequently placed in nursing homes, and ultimately have an increased rate of mortality. Delirium can be completely prevented in up to one-third of at-risk patients. When delirium cannot be prevented, the prevalence of severe delirium can be reduced by up to 50%. Optimal treatment of delirium requires excellent teamwork among the orthopaedic surgeon, anesthesiologist, internist or geriatrician, and others.