PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Our main objective was to evaluate the mortality and complications of patients following surgical treatment of hip fractures and to identify the associated risk factors for postoperative mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all patients over the age of 50 who underwent surgical treatment for femoral neck and peritrochanteric fractures at our institution in 2003 and 2013. Mortality was compared between subgroups classified by age, gender, fracture type, method of treatment. Correlation between mortality and postoperative complications, time to surgery, and blood transfusion need were evaluated. Chi-square was used for categorical variables and two-tailed student's t-test for continuous variables. Survival curves were compared by the log-rank test. Mortality rates were adjusted for patient age and compared to the mortality rates of Prague's population in the given years. RESULTS Altogether 425 patients were surgically treated for proximal femoral fracture in 2013, while 229 patients were treated in 2003. The overall 1-year mortality decreased by 10% over the study period (38% in 2003 and 28% in 2013), despite the higher average age in 2013. Survival was better in all subgroups broken down by diagnosis and method of treatment, statistically relevant in the subgroup of femoral neck fractures, notwithstanding the method of treatment and in the subgroup treated with total hip arthroplasty. The strongest prognostic factor for survival was the advanced age. The mortality rate rises significantly over the age of 75. The largest age group was between 85-89 years, with 1-year mortality rate of 32%. The annual mortality of the general population in Prague aged 85-89 years was 13% and has improved only by 1% in the decade. The reoperative rate was 4% and did not affect mortality. There was no significant relationship between mortality and complications or delay of surgery for up to 4 days. DISCUSSION The factors that might have contributed to better survival are the introduction of guidelines for hip fracture care to our unit, better prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism, improvement of surgical skills due to the growing volume of these cases, and a higher rate of discharges to aftercare units. CONCLUSIONS Mortality has significantly decreased between 2003 and 2013 (p < 0.001). We didn't find a correlation between mortality and delay of surgery up to 4 days. That means that a complicated operation such as hip arthroplasty could be postponed and operated in more comfortable conditions (in superaseptic OR) by orthopedic surgeons. Although we haven't identified any modifiable risk factor, we believe that the reasons for better survival are multifactorial as discussed. Key words: hip fracture, proximal femoral fracture, mortality, complications, time to surgery.