We present a minimum 20-year follow-up study of 382 cemented
Exeter Universal total hip arthroplasties (350 patients) operated
on at a mean age of 66.3 years (17 to 94). All patients received the same design of femoral component, regardless
of the original diagnosis. Previous surgery had been undertaken
for 33 hips (8.6%). During the study period 218 patients with 236
hips (62%) died, 42 hips (11%) were revised and 110 hips (29%) in
96 patients were available for review. The acetabular components
were varied and some designs are now obsolete, however they were
all cemented.Aims
Patients and Methods
We prospectively assessed the efficacy of a ceramic-on-metal
(CoM) hip bearing with uncemented acetabular and femoral components
in which cobalt–chrome acetabular liners and alumina ceramic heads
were used. The cohort comprised 94 total hip replacements (THRs) in 83 patients
(38 women and 45 men) with a mean age of 58 years (42 to 70). Minimum
follow-up was two years. All patients had pre- and post-operative
assessment using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis
index (WOMAC), Oxford hip score and Short-Form 12 scores. All showed
a statistically significant improvement from three months post-operatively
onwards (all p <
0.001). After two years whole blood metal ion levels were measured and
chromosomal analysis was performed. The levels of all metal ions
were elevated except vanadium. Levels of chromium, cobalt, molybdenum
and titanium were significantly higher in patients who underwent
bilateral THR compared with those undergoing unilateral THR (p <
0.001).
Chromosomal analysis demonstrated both structural and aneuploidy
mutations. There were significantly more breaks and losses than
in the normal population (p <
0.001). There was no significant
difference in chromosomal aberration between those undergoing unilateral
and bilateral procedures (all analyses p ≥ 0.62). The use of a CoM THR is effective clinically in the short-term,
with no concerns, but the significance of high metal ion levels
and chromosomal aberrations in the long-term remains unclear. Cite this article:
