One-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty compared with unilateral total hip arthroplasty: a prospective study

It is believed that patients undergoing 1-stage bilateral joint arthroplasty are at higher risk for developing cardiopulmonary and possibly other complications. The aim of this prospective matched study was to evaluate and compare the morbidity profile of patients undergoing 1-stage bilateral uncemented total hip arthroplasty (BTHA) vs unilateral uncemented THA (UTHA). One hundred consecutive patients undergoing 1-stage bilateral THA (50 patients, 100 hips) and unilateral THA (50 patients) were recruited and prospectively followed. There were no statistically significant differences in 90-day mortality, individual major (BTHA, 8%; UTHA, 10%) or minor (BTHA, 20%; UTHA, 26%) complications between the 2 groups. Bilateral THA patients required more autologous and allogenic blood transfusion and had lower hemoglobin at discharge than UTHA patients. Patients undergoing BTHA should expect a slightly higher incidence of complications related to postoperative anemia.