[Total hip replacement in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.]

The authors present their experience with total hip replacement in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. In the period of 1985-1997 they performed in total 66 total hip replacements in 41 patients. Of the total number of the used implants 24 were fully cemented (the average follow-up - 13 years), 3 were hybrid and 39 cementless (the average follow-up - 6 years). The results of total hip replacements were assessed on the basis of Harris score (HS). The outcomes of the two subgroups, i. e. cemented and cementless implants, were statistically evaluated and compared. The group of hybrid implants was not statistically evaluated due to a small size of the subgroup. In both evaluated groups of implants the results were very favourable (the average HS value in cemented: 86,2 in cementless: 86,4). The occurrence of periarticular ossifications was minimal in both groups. Of the post-operative complications we recorded one case of displacement of the implant which was solved by closed reduction under general anesthesia. Two cases required re-operation of the loosened cementless cup. There occurred no infect. On the basis of the evaluation of the average 13-year results of cemented implants the use of this type of total hip replacement in patients with M. Bechterev is recommended. The question remains whether the same positive values will be produced after the same time interval also by cementless implants as we still do not have results from a 10-year follow-up. Key words: ankylosing spondylitis, total hip replacement.