Abstract
Despite changes in operating theatre conditions, antibiotic usage etc., infection rates following total hip arthroplasty remain remarkably constant. The management of infections may be either as one or two stage procedures, the evidence supports a two stage procedure as being the more reliable. A system of management for a two-stage procedure is discussed. This allows early weight bearing and the second stage can be carried out at any time when the results of the appropriate blood tests and aspiration deem this appropriate.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor Alan Thurston. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association, PO Box 7451, Wellington, New Zealand.
