Aims and Objectives Hybrid hip replacement became popular in some centres for younger patients with expected lower rates of acetabular loosening and subsequent revision. We have previously reported our 5 year results and now have further follow-up data on the same cohort of patients.

Materials and Methods 86 uncemented acetabular components of the same design were implanted into 68 patients between 1992 and 1997 who were prospectively followed with respect to clinical outcome, polyethylene wear and intention to revise as a definition of failure.

Results Data is available on 73 acetabular cups with a mean follow-up of 9.5 years. The failure rate is 22%. 9 patients have been revised and 7 further patients await revision for polyethylene wear and osteolysis which in some cases has been very aggressive. Further patients have advanced wear and early lysis which is under close observation.

Conclusion The prosthesis studied has a high failure rate. Patients often report few symptoms until advanced osteolysis has occurred. We recommend that all patients with this type of prosthesis be recalled for frequent radiological review and report on an implant which seems to be failing unacceptably early.

The use of prolonged courses of parenteral or oral antibiotic therapy in the management of two stage revision of infected total knee arthroplasty is reported by all major series.

We present a series of 59 consecutive patients, all with microbiologically proven deep infection managed at our unit where a prolonged course of antibiotic therapy has not been routinely used. The mean follow-up is 56.4 months (range 24–114 months). Of the 38 patients undergoing a staged exchange, infection was successfully eradicated in 34 patients (89%) with recurrent or persistent infection in 4 (11%). The infection cure rate in our series is similar that reported elsewhere.

A prolonged course of antibiotic therapy does not seem to alter the incidence of recurrent or persistent infection. The costs of antibiotic administration are high, both to the patient and care facility. It may be unnecessary.