Re-operations following Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty: a district hospital experience

The Austin Moore prosthesis is commonly used for displaced femoral neck fractures. In this study the rate of re-operation following Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty was studied. Ten out of 88 cases (11.36%) were re-operated on within the first year following the original operations. The indications for re-operation were infection (4.5%), dislocation (3.4%) and loose prosthesis (3.4%). The rate of infection found in this study was higher than other published series and could be attributed to the lack of laminar flow ventilation system and the use of cotton drapes and surgical gowns while performing these operations. We recommend that Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty should be carried out in theatres equipped with a laminar flow ventilation system and to use waterproof gowns and drapes to limit the number of deep infections and therefore lower the re-operation rate.