Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the functional results and complications of the total femur prosthesis Endo-Model?. Material and methods:100 total femurs implanted between 3/89 and 9/97 during aseptic revision arthroplasty, all consecutive cases, were included in the study. 87% were female, 13% male. The mean age was 68 years, ranging from 40 to 94. The mean follow-up was 5 years, ranging from one to 12 years. 77% had suffered a complication following implantation of a total hip replacement, 4% of a total knee and 19% following a complication affecting the diaphysis, in most cases a fracture between total hip and total knee prosthesis. From all 100 patients 41% had sustained a periprosthetic fracture preoperatively. Results: As a total femur is a limb saving prosthesis the functional result of hip and knee was assessed according to the Enneking scheme in separate pre- and postoperative evaluations. Preoperative the mean score for hip function was fair, it improved to good postoperatively. For the knee the preoperative score was fair to good, postoperatively better than good. 65% had no complications, deep infection 12%, dislocations 6%, technical faults 3%, patella pain 2%, nerve palsy 1%, secondary wound healing 1%, haematoma 2%, perioperative mortality 3%, not located 5%. Conclusion: The total femur prosthesis Endo-Model? is a valuable limb-saving implant in desolate cases of revision arthroplasty. Meticulous preoperative planning is compulsory. The functional results are surprisingly good. The complication rate is acceptable. To reduce the infection rate we now introduced a perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
