Abstract
This study examines patient characteristics, indications for conversion, surgical and anaesthetic technique, peri-operative management and complications of surgery in this small and challenging group of patients. In the six years from 1994 to 1999, 33 conversion arthroplasties were performed for failed femoral hemiarthroplasty. The average age at conversion surgery was 75.5 years (range 65–90). The female to male ratio was 6:1. Primary hemiarthroplasties comprised 24 Austin-Moore, 6 Thompson & 3 Bipolar prostheses. The average interval from primary to conversion surgery was 50 months (6 months to 17 years). The average age at primary surgery was 71.2 years (62–88) – AMP:71.4 years, Thompson’s: 74.2 years, Bipolar: 63.5 years. All hemiarthroplasties were performed for fractured femoral necks. 62% of patients came from the Eastern Health Board area, while 38% were tertiary are referrals from other Health Boards. The average length of stay was 17.5 days (3–24). Indications for conversion included gross loosening/acetabular erosion in 9 cases, suspected infection in 4 cases and abscess/septicaemia in 1 case. All but 3 patients had significant pain (night pain etc.) and/or severely impaired mobility.
We also looked at anaesthetic and analgesic practice, surgical technique and prostheses used.
Post-operatively, mean total blood loss was 1430 ml (420–2280) with an average of 1.4 units of blood transfused (0–5). Intraoperative complications included acetabular & femoral perforation, periprosthetic fracture and cement reactions. Complications post-op (in hospital) included cardiac arrhythmia’s, cerebrovascular accidents, pulmonary embolus, myocardial infarct, respiratory & urinary tract infections, constipation, nausea & vomiting.
The elderly nature of these patients and the physiological stress of what is major surgery allied with multiple co-morbidities make their care especially challenging. A conversion arthroplasty is a procedure with a significant risk of considerable morbidity. Primary total hip replacement or bipolar hemiarthroplasty are options which, therefore, should be seriously considered in the case of fractured femoral necks to minimise the need for further surgery in the future, with all its attendant risks.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Ray Moran. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Irish Orthopaedic Association, Secretariat, c/o Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital, Finglas, Dublin
