Medium-term follow-up series using a modular distal fixation prosthesis to address proximal femoral bone deficiency in revision total hip arthroplasty. A 5- to 9-year follow-up study.

We reviewed a series of 39 patients (40 cases) receiving the Link MP stem in revision hip arthroplasty. Average follow-up was 68 months (range 60-115 months). Proximal femoral defects were classified using the Endo-Klinik and Paprosky classifications. Indications included: osteolysis 13 cases; septic loosening 8 cases; periprosthetic fractures 18 cases; metastatic bone disease 1 case. We found 92.5% overall survival rate, average Harris Hip Score past two years of 67 and average Oxford Hip Score past five years of 43. We found no implant failure or loosening. Complications included: 4 deep infections (2 revised to excision arthroplasty), 5 dislocations (1 revision of the proximal modular segment for impingement). We concluded that revision was successful in cases of peri-prosthetic fractures, septic and aseptic loosening. We advocate use of cerclage wires to prevent peri-operative fractures and use of proximal modular segments with CCD angle of 126 to avoid dislocation.

An evaluation of the safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

This study directly compared the clinical and radiographic results and patient satisfaction of a group of simultaneous, bilateral total knee arthroplasties (92) with a year of surgery matched unilateral total knee arthroplasties (92). Death within 1 month of surgery occurred in 1 bilateral patient and no unilateral patients. Significant cardiorespiratory complications were recorded in 6 bilateral patients and 2 unilateral patients. Patients with pre-existing cardiorespiratory conditions were particularly at risk. Analysis revealed a 98% 7-year survivorship for unilateral procedures and 97% for bilateral. In this study, 95% of bilateral patients stated they would choose the same option again.

An audit on the blood transfusion requirements for revision hip arthroplasty.

The hospital transfusion committee of Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust had formulated a maximum surgical blood ordering schedule (MSBOS) which included the standard practice of 6 units of blood for revision hip arthroplasty. A retrospective audit of 73 patients who underwent revision hip arthroplasty over a year was undertaken to identify current practice and to ensure that the standard was adequate for patient safety. Information regarding the number of units requested, number of units transfused, pre-operative haemoglobin (Hb), lowest postoperative Hb and number of additional units of blood requested within 3 days postoperatively, was collected from patients' case-notes. Of the 73 patients, 80.3% received less than 6 units, 12.2% received 6 units and 7.5% received more than 6 units. Based on pre-operative Hb, blood usage was analysed. Of cross-matched units, 92.3% were used when pre-operative Hb was < 12 g/dl, 64.4% were used when Hb was between 12.1-13.0 g/dl, 54.3% were used when the Hb was between 13.1-14.0 g/dl, 38.9% were used when Hb was between 14.1-15.0 g/dl and 39.7% used with pre-operative Hb of > 15.0 g/dl. Of the total, 14 patients had a postoperative Hb of < 9 g/dl for whom additional units of blood were ordered and given to achieve a Hb of between 10.1-14.2 g/dl prior to discharge. This audit suggests that in patients with pre-operative Hb of 13 g/dl or more, the cross-match could be 4 units instead of 6 units for revisions.

The use of cold compression dressings after total knee replacement: a randomized controlled trial.

This prospective, controlled study compared cold compressive dressings with wool and crepe in the postoperative management of patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR). Forty TKR patients were assessed for blood loss, pain, swelling, and range of motion. Patients in the cold compression group had less blood loss through suction drainage (982 mL versus 768 mL). A higher proportion of patients in the treatment group did not require blood transfusion postoperatively. Mean opiate requirements were lower in the cold compression group (0.57 versus 0.71 mg/kg/48 hours). The cold compression device appeared to reduce blood loss and pain following TKR.

Autophor cementless total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthrosis secondary to congenital hip dysplasia.

The authors present a consecutive series of 38 arthroplasties for osteoarthrosis secondary to hip dysplasia. All arthroplasties were performed by a single surgeon using Mittelmeier II (Autophor, Osteo AG, Selzach, Switzerland) ceramic cementless components. Crowe grades of subluxation were 60% grade I, 16% grade II, 12% grade III, and 12% grade IV. In all cases, the acetabular component was seated in the true acetabulum. The mean follow-up period was 75 months (range, 40-122 months). By the time of review, six hips (16%) had required revision for aseptic loosening, mainly of the femoral component. Good or excellent results were achieved in only 63% of the patients. In the group of surviving arthroplasties, the median Charnley hip scores before surgery were: pain, 2; movement, 3; and walking, 3. After surgery, the scores were: pain, 5; movement, 5; and walking, 6. All improvements were significant. The mean postoperative Harris hip score was 84. Poor scores were associated with contralateral hip disease (2 cases) and spina bifida (2 cases), significantly affecting function. The Autophor prosthesis can produce satisfactory results in some of these young patients with hip dysplasia. However, femoral loosening is a major problem and because of this, the authors have since changed to a newer stem design.

Audit of a bone bank.

The results are reported of an audit of allografts collected in the first 18 months of the Leicester Bone Bank. We retrieved 161 femoral heads at primary arthroplasty of which 103 were implanted into 59 patients. There were deep infections in two recipients and wound infections in five. In two of these cases, culture of the femoral head at implantation was positive but the organisms grown were not those which caused the clinical infection. We retrieved 22 large allografts from six cadavers. Four of these were contaminated at retrieval and required irradiation for sterilisation. There has been one clinical infection in the nine large allografts implanted so far. We recommend that all bone banks undertake prospective audit to ensure that high standards are maintained and wastage minimised.

Bilateral knee replacements: simultaneous or staged?

Approximately one-third of primary knee replacements are performed on patients with bilateral symptomatic disease. This retrospective study compared the complication rate, functional outcome and cost implications of performing bilateral total knee replacements under a single anaesthetic or as staged procedures with a control group of unilateral cases. There was no significant difference in the complications or outcome. There was a significant reduction in the mean hospital admission time of 7 days per knee replacement (P < 0.001, Student's t test) by performing bilateral knee replacements for osteoarthritis under the same anaesthetic. However, a survey of practising knee surgeons in three health regions in the United Kingdom shows that only 24% would regularly perform bilateral knee replacements under one anaesthetic.