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Isolated Polyethylene Exchange versus Acetabular Revision for Polyethylene Wear

  • Symposium: Papers Presented at the Hip Society Meetings 2008
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Abstract

Polyethylene wear and osteolysis are not uncommon in THA mid- and long-term. In asymptomatic patients the dilemma faced by the orthopaedic surgeon is whether to revise the cup and risk damage to the supporting columns and even pelvic discontinuity or to perform isolated polyethylene exchange and risk a high rate of postoperative recurrent instability and dislocation that will necessitate further surgery. We retrospectively reviewed 62 patients (67 hips) who underwent revision arthroplasty for polywear and osteolysis. Thirty-six hips had isolated polyethylene exchange, while 31 had full acetabular revision. The minimum followup was 2 years (mean, 2.8 years; range, 2–5 years). Three of 36 hips with a retained cup grafted through the cup holes failed within 5 years due to acetabular loosening. One of 31 hips with full revision underwent re-revision for aseptic cup loosening at 5 months postoperatively. Although we do not recommend prophylactic revision of all cups for polywear and osteolysis, the patient may be warned of the possibility of an approximate 10% failure rate when retaining the acetabular component. We do, however, advocate cup extraction in the following situations: damage to the locking mechanism, erosion of the femoral head through the liner and into the cup damaging the metal, and a malpositioned component that may jeopardize the stability of the revision.

Level of Evidence: Level II, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Rothman Institute, 925 Chestnut St., 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Camilo Restrepo MD, Elie Ghanem MD, Carrie Houssock MD, Mathew Austin MD, Javad Parvizi MD, FRCS & William J. Hozack MD

Authors
  1. Camilo Restrepo MD
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  2. Elie Ghanem MD
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  3. Carrie Houssock MD
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  4. Mathew Austin MD
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  5. Javad Parvizi MD, FRCS
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  6. William J. Hozack MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to William J. Hozack MD.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study was obtained.

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Restrepo, C., Ghanem, E., Houssock, C. et al. Isolated Polyethylene Exchange versus Acetabular Revision for Polyethylene Wear. Clin Orthop Relat Res 467, 194–198 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0533-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0533-8

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