Experts have issued new guidelines for certain surgeries that are performed in patients with hip fractures. The surgeries, called cemented hemiarthroplasty, involve the use of bone cement during hip reconstruction.

Compared with uncemented prostheses, the use of cemented prostheses for hip fracture surgery increases the likelihood of pain-free mobility after surgery, reduces the risk of re-operation, and is associated with a lower risk of death within 30 days; however, heart problems have been linked with cemented hip surgery procedures.

"This is the first multidisciplinary guideline to be published on the subject. It makes specific recommendations on identifying patients at high risk of cardiovascular compromise, on preparing teams and identifying roles in case of severe reactions, and on the specific intra-operative roles of the surgeon and anaesthetist," said Dr. Richard Griffiths, lead author of the Anaesthesia article. "By identifying those at risk, having a multidisciplinary discussion, and then adhering to best surgical, anesthesia, and theatre procedures, there should be a reduction in the incidence of problems with cemented hemiarthroplasties."