Characteristics of total hips linked to early revision

Editor's Note

Characteristics of total hip replacements (THRs) were found to be related to early prosthetic revision in this French study.

 Antibiotic-free cemented and antibiotic-impregnated cemented THRs were compared with uncemented. Ceramic-on-ceramic, ceramic-on-polyethylene, and metal-on-metal THRs were compared with metal-on-polyethylene.

 The antibiotic-impregnated cemented THRs had a better prognosis than uncemented, and this association was particularly significant in women.

 The ceramic-on-ceramic and ceramic-on-polyethylene THRs were no different than the metal on metal. Metal-on-metal THRs had slightly shorter survivorship than the metal on polyethylene.

Importance Total hip replacement (THR) is successful in treating hip arthritis. Prosthetic survivorship may depend on characteristics of the implant, notably THR fixation technique and bearing surface type. Objective To compare THR short-term survivorship according to cement type and bearing surface.