We present a consecutive case cohort of the first 100 Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR)'s in 90 patients with a minimum follow up of 20 years. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon having commenced the study in 1998.

The original cohort included 68 males with 75 hips (7 bilateral) and 22 females with 25 hips (3 bilateral). The mean age at index procedure was 52. Patients were recalled to review in clinic as per Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency guidelines with x-rays, metal ions and Harris Hip Scores recorded.

After a minimum of 20 year follow-up review the known overall revision rate is 11%. 11 have died and 7 have been lost to review. In males the known revision rate is 4/75 (5%), 3 of which were due to early fractures and 1 revision for infection at 5 years. The known revision rate in females is 7/25 (28%) of which 6 were due to adverse reactions to metal debris; 3 at 7–8 yrs, 1 at 15 yrs, 2 at 18 years, and 1 at 2 months for avascular necrosis. The mean 20 year metal ions results were cobalt 36.6 nmol/l (range 7.4–232.1) and chromium 32.1 nmol/l (range 6–120.8). The mean Harris hip score was 88.5 (range 38.6–99.8).

This case series with 20 years follow-up demonstrates excellent long term survival of the BHRs further to registry BHR data and similar to THR for same age recipients. Applying today's strict criteria for patient selection would likely improve survival rate further. BHR has not demonstrated the catastrophic revision rates associated with some metal-on-metal resurfacing and remains a safe option for those who meet the criteria.

INTRODUCTION

Dislocation is a major complication post total hip replacement (THR) and a common cause for revision. Jameson et al (2012) studied 35,000 cemented Exeter (Stryker) THRs demonstrating the risk of revision was significantly influenced by the acetabular component design. This led 3 surgeons in a single hospital group to make a mass move from using the hooded Exeter Low Profile (LP) cup to the better performing Contemporary Flanged (CF) component. The purpose of this study was to show whether this change was associated with a fall in dislocation rates.