Intraoperative fractures although rare are one of the complications known to occur while performing a total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, due to lower incidence rates there is currently a gap in this area of literature that systematically reviews this important issue of complications associated with THA.

Method: We looked into Electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the archives of meetings of orthopaedic associations and the bibliographies of included articles and asked experts to identify prospective studies, published in any language that evaluated intra-operative fractures occurring during total hip arthroplasty from the year 1950-2020. The screening, data extraction and quality assessment were carried out by two researchers and if there was any discrepancy, a third reviewer was involved.

Fourteen studies were identified. The reported range of occurrence of fracture while performing hip replacement surgery was found to be 0.4-7.6%. Major risk factors identified were surgical approaches, Elderly age, less Metaphyseal-Diaphyseal Index score, change in resistance while insertion of the femur implants, inexperienced surgeons, uncemented femoral components, use of monoblock elliptical components, implantation of the acetabular components, patients with ankylosing spondylitis, female gender, uncemented stems in patients with abnormal proximal femoral anatomy and with cortices, different stem designs, heterogeneous fracture patterns and toothed design.

Intraoperative fractures during THA were managed with cerclage wire, femoral revision, intramedullary nail and cerclage wires, use of internal fixation plates and screws for management of intra operative femur and acetabular fractures.

The main reason for intraoperative fracture was found to be usage of cementless implants but planning and timely recognition of risk factors and evaluating them is important in management of intraoperative fractures. Adequate surgical site exposure is critical especially during dislocation of hip, reaming of acetabulum, impaction of implant and preparing the femoral canal for stem insertion. Eccentric and increased reaming of acetabulum to accommodate a larger cup is to be avoided, especially in females and elderly patients as the acetabulum is thinner. However, this area requires more research in order to obtain more evidence on effectiveness, safety and management of intraoperative fractures during THA.