Operative versus conservative management of distal humerus fractures in patients aged 65 years and older: a target-trial-informed retrospective cohort study of five-year mortality

Introduction

Older patients with distal humerus fractures die more often after conservative than after operative treatment in unadjusted comparisons; whether this reflects treatment or the selection of healthier patients for surgery is unresolved. We estimated the association between operative versus conservative management and five-year all-cause mortality in patients aged ≥ 65 years.