[Long-term results following cemented total hip alloplasty in primary hip arthrosis. What to expect?]

The aim was to investigate the age-, gender- and implant related survival up to 14 years postsurgery in patients with primary hiparthrosis in one or both hips and operated in county hospitals with cemented prosthesis designs. The subjects consisted of 1,199 patients operated in the years 1981-1990, and the cohort was followed till 31.12.1994. The 1,199 patients had a total of 1,477 cemented total hipalloplastics (THA's) inserted. Two hundred and fourty-eight patients died during follow-up. Until 1990, 278 patients had had both hips operated, and a further 58 patients had the contralateral hip operated during follow-up to 31.12.1994. Fourty-nine hips were revised between four and 14 years (median: nine years) postsurgery. The cumulative survival for all THA's was 92.5%. Respective figures for the Richard Series 2 and the Charnley-prosthesis were 91.5% and 92%, now more than 14 years from the first operations. In conclusion, cemented total hip arthroplasty is a good treatment option for patients with primary hip arthrosis. Younger patients have an increased risk of revision, and alternative fixation may be considered. With an overall prosthesis-survival more than 14 years postsurgery of 92.5%, the treatment can take place at local orthopaedic departments. Our results are comparable to figures from the Swedish national register.