Delbet classification
The Delbet classification helps predict the risk of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in neck of femur fractures, as well as determine operative vs non-operative management.
Classification
- type I: trans-epiphyseal separation
- fracture through proximal femoral physis, and represents Salter-Harris type I fractures of the proximal femur (<10%)
- IA: without dislocation
- IB: with dislocation
- fracture through proximal femoral physis, and represents Salter-Harris type I fractures of the proximal femur (<10%)
- type II: transcervical fracture
- fracture extending through mid-portion of the femoral neck
- most common type of pediatric hip fracture (40-50%)
- type III: cervicotrochanteric fracture
- fracture though base of the femoral neck (25-35%)
- type IV: Intertrochanteric fracture
- between the greater and lesser trochanters (6-15%)
- this type of fracture has the best outcome
History and etymology
Pierre Delbet was a French surgeon who operated on neck of femur fractures . He classified these fractures into four types in adults, which is now known as Delbet's classification of fractures of proximal femur . This was later adopted by Collona for fractures of the femoral neck in children without changes. He used it to determine treatment and prognosis of hip fracture in children .
