The relative advantages and disadvantages of two-stage versus one-stage management of infected total hip arthroplasties are the current subject of intense debate. To understand the merits of each approach detailed information on the short and, importantly, longer-term outcomes of each must be known. The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term results of two-stage exchange arthroplasty for THAs in one of the largest series to date.

We identified 331 infected THAs treated with a two-stage exchange arthroplasty between 1993 and 2021 at a single institution. Patients were excluded if they had prior treatment for infection. Mean age at reimplantation was 66 years, 38% were female, and mean BMI was 30 kg/m². PJI diagnosis was based on the 2011 MSIS criteria. A competing risk model accounting for death was utilized. Mean follow up was 8 years.

The cumulative incidence of reinfection was 7% at 1 year and 11% at 5 and 10 years. Factors predictive of reinfection included BMI>30 kg/m² (HR 2; p=0.049), and need for a spacer exchange (HR 3.2; p=0.006). The cumulative incidence of any revision was 13% at 5 and 10 years. The cumulative incidence of aseptic revision was 3% at 1 year, 7% at 5 years, and 8% at 10 years. Dislocation occurred in 33 hips (11% at 10 years; 45% required revision). Factors predictive of dislocation were female sex (HR 2; p=0.047) and BMI<30 kg/m² (HR 3; p=0.02). The mean HHS improved from 54 to 75 at 10 years.

In this series of 331 two-stage exchange arthroplasties performed for infected hips, we found a low aseptic revision rate (8%) and a low rate of reinfection (11%) at 10 years. These long-term mechanical and infection data must be kept in mind when considering a paradigm shift to one-stage exchanges.

Level of Evidence: Level III