Abstract
Arthroplasty has consistently shown ‘beneficial and often dramatic improvements in quality of life'. In developed healthcare systems arthroplasty has evolved to minimised complications through evidence-based implant selection, rigorous infection control and high volume training. The Children's Surgical Centre has performed 256 THAs since 2007, We aim to assess the outcome of arthroplasty in a LMIC. Our primary outcome was all cause of re-operation and our secondary outcome was any complications not requiring return to theatre.
A retrospective review of all consecutive THA since 2007 was conducted. Electronic and physical case notes were reviewed and basic demographics, indication for THA, risk factors for complications, implant combinations and complications were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc.
A total of 256 THA were identified in 225 patients. The mean age was 43, with a M2:1F ratio. The most common pathologies were (1)AVN (44%), (2)OA (11%) and (3)DDH (11%). Revision rate was 13%. The mean time from implantation to revision was 2.8 years (0–9). The most common reasons for revision were (1)stem fracture (5.8%), (2)aseptic loosening (4.8%) and (3)infection (2.7%). Six different stems have been use over the time period. The best surviving were the Zimmer ML Taper and the UMA Muller stems. The UMA C-Stem was the worst performing which suffered 100% stem fracture. 109 complications were identified in 85 patients (33.2%). The three most common complications were (1)aseptic loosening (10.5%) (2)stem fracture (5.8%) and (3)dislocation (5.8%). Previous surgery (n=44) was found to be a significant risk for complications but not infection. OHS initially improved but began to decline after year 3.
Patients present to CSC with neglected hip pathology, disability and significant pre-operative deformity. These patients benefit from THA and the initially high complication rates at CSC are declining suggesting the apex of the ‘learning curve' has passed. Cheap poorly manufactured implants continue to cause catastrophic failure.
