We aimed to determine whether cemented hemiarthroplasty
is associated with a higher post-operative mortality and rate of
re-operation when compared with uncemented hemiarthroplasty. Data
on 19 669 patients, who were treated with a hemiarthroplasty following
a fracture of the hip in a nine-year period from 2002 to 2011, were extracted
from NHS Scotland’s acute admission database (Scottish Morbidity
Record, SMR01). We investigated the rate of mortality at day 0,
1, 7, 30, 120 and one-year post-operatively using 12 case-mix variables
to determine the independent effect of the method of fixation. At
day 0, those with a cemented hemiarthroplasty had a higher rate
of mortality (p <
0.001) compared with those with an uncemented
hemiarthroplasty, equivalent to one extra death per 424 procedures.
By day one this had become one extra death per 338 procedures. Increasing
age and the five-year co-morbidity score were noted as independent
risk factors. By day seven, the cumulative rate of mortality was
less for cemented hemiarthroplasty though this did not reach significance
until day 120. The rate of re-operation was significantly higher
for uncemented hemiarthroplasty. Despite adjusting for 12 confounding
variables, these only accounted for 15% of the observed variability. The debate about the choice of the method of fixation for a hemiarthroplasty
with respect to the rate of mortality or the risk of re-operation
may be largely superfluous. Our results suggest that uncemented
hemiarthroplasties may have a role to play in elderly patients with
significant co-morbid disease. Cite this article:
We present our experience with a double-mobility
acetabular component in 155 consecutive revision total hip replacements
in 149 patients undertaken between 2005 and 2009, with particular
emphasis on the incidence of further dislocation. The mean age of
the patients was 77 years (42 to 89) with 59 males and 90 females.
In all, five patients died and seven were lost to follow-up. Indications
for revision were aseptic loosening in 113 hips, recurrent instability
in 29, peri-prosthetic fracture in 11 and sepsis in two. The mean
follow-up was 42 months (18 to 68). Three hips (2%) in three patients
dislocated within six weeks of surgery; one of these dislocated
again after one year. All three were managed successfully with closed
reduction. Two of the three dislocations occurred in patients who
had undergone revision for recurrent dislocation. All three were
found at revision to have abductor deficiency. There were no dislocations
in those revised for either aseptic loosening or sepsis. These results demonstrate a good mid-term outcome for this component.
In the 29 patients revised for instability, only two had a further
dislocation, both of which were managed by closed reduction.
We have compared prospectively the incidence of loosening of 20 femoral stems with a matt surface with that of 20 polished stems of an otherwise identical tapered, non-modular design of Exeter hip replacement. The stems were inserted using the same technique at operation and radiographs showed no difference in the adequacy of the cement mantle or of fixation. All the patients were reviewed regularly and none was lost to follow-up. After a minimum follow-up of nine years, four matt but no polished stems had been revised for aseptic loosening. Polished stems subsided slightly within the cement mantle early, but did not loosen.
