Hip Arthroplasty for Failed Internal Fixation of Intertrochanteric Fractures / 대한고관절학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical and radiological results of hip arthroplasty following the failed internal fixation of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the reasons for failure in 29 cases of hip arthroplasty from January 1997 through December 2008 in which the hip arthroplasty was necessary due to failed internal fixation of an intertrochanteric fracture of the femur. Furthermore, we tried to find pitfalls encountered when performing the operations. We assessed those patients and drew both clinical (Harris hip score, HHS) and radiological results. The follow-up period was 34.2 months(12-96 months), on average. RESULTS: The average operating time was 174 min.(115-205 min.) and the mean amount of perioperative bleeding was 1,335 ml(759-2,450 ml). The amount of packed RBC transfusion was 2.8 units(0-10 units) on average. We could see prolonged operation time and a large amount of blood loss as we performed both the removal of the previously fixed implant and reduction of the displaced bone fragment simultaneously. The mean Harris hip score of the patients was improved from the preoperative score of 43 to the postoperative score of 85.7. No cases showed any radiological signs of loosening of acetabular cups or femoral stems, although an articular dislocation and a postoperative joint infection occurred. CONCLUSION: Although hip arthroplasties performed because of a failure in internal fixation could provide relatively satisfactory outcomes, as they result in extended surgery time and greater blood loss, a requirement for higher-level surgical skills, and greater consideration required for the systemic conditions of patients before performing surgery.