Surgical Timing and Postoperative Outcomes in Distal Femur Fractures: Does Early Intervention Matter?

Introduction Distal femur fractures are the second most common femoral fragility fractures in older adults, with postoperative mortality rates similar to or exceeding those of hip fractures. While early surgery has been shown to improve outcomes in hip fracture patients, its impact on distal femur fractures remains unclear. This study examines the relationship between surgical timing and postoperative outcomes in distal femur fracture patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study utilized the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database to identify patients aged 65 and older who underwent surgery for distal femur fractures between 2015 and 2022. Patients were categorized into early (within 1 day), intermediate (between 1-2 days), and delayed (>2 days) surgery groups. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), and hospital readmission rates. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust for potential confounders. Results A total of 4500 cases met the inclusion criteria, with 67% undergoing surgery within one day, 20% within 1-2 days, and 13% after more than two days. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, early surgery was not associated with a significant reduction in 30-day mortality (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.57-1.83, P = 0.99). However, the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) was significantly lower in the early surgery group (adjusted OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.43-0.88, P = 0.01). No significant differences were observed for other major complications. Conclusions Unlike in hip fractures, early surgery did not significantly impact mortality or most postoperative complications in distal femur fracture patients. However, it was associated with a reduced risk of UTIs. These findings suggest that surgical timing may be less critical than preoperative optimization and comprehensive perioperative care in improving outcomes for this population.