Results: Major perioperative complications occurred in 7,26 per cent. Haematomas were reported in 3.22, cardiovascular complications in 1.55, joint infections in 0.94, injuries of neuro-vascular structures in 0,63, deep venous thrombosis in 0.37, pulmonary embolism in 0.26 and pneumonia in 0.28 per cent of all cases. Patient age, length of surgery and allogeneic blood transfusion significantly increased the rate of major perioperative complications. Increased patient age increased the risk for all major complications but neuro-vascular injuries. Increased surgery time elevated the risk for all major complications except haematoma. Allogeneic blood transfusions were associated with an elevated risk for all major postoperative complications except deep venous thrombosis. In contrast, autologous blood transfusions did not increase the risk for suffering a postoperative complication. Surprisingly, gender did not have a significant influence on the occurrence of immediate postoperative complications. Conclusions Allogeneic blood transfusion, increased age and surgery time contribute to an elevated incidence of perioperative complications following hip arthroplasty.