Contemporary cementing technique and mortality during and after Exeter total hip arthroplasty

The Exeter universal stem implanted with contemporary cementing technique has shown an excellent survivorship at 15 years. The technique used for implantation calls for prolonged pressurization preventing blood from the femur exiting into the femoral canal, but this technique is not accepted widely as some surgeons believe it is associated with significant morbidity. This concern prompted this review. From 1988 to 2005, 9082 primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) were implanted. We identified all patients who died within 30 days from surgery. When available, the postmortem results were reviewed. Twenty-one patients died within 30 days from their primary THA (prevalence, 0.23%). There was one intraoperative death (prevalence, 0.01%). The postmortem report was consistent with fat embolism. Two additional patients died the same day of surgery from cardiac processes. No other deaths could be linked to cement. Sudden death during cemented THA with a current contemporary cementing technique and a specialized anesthetic protocol is nearly zero.