Revision total hip arthroplasty in patients 80 years or older

We evaluated all revisions performed from March 1996 to December 2008 and compared complications, mortality, and clinical outcomes between patients 80 years and older and patients younger than 80 years. Data were collected prospectively. There were 325 revisions, 84 (25.8%) in patients 80 years and older and 241 in patients younger than 80 years (62% revision for aseptic loosening in both groups). The mean follow-up was 4.3 years. The results, 80 years and older vs younger than 80 years, revealed the following: mortality, 5% vs 0% 3 months postoperatively; medical complications in 23.8% vs 6.2%; postoperative fractures, 9.5% vs 2.5%; and improved Merle d'Aubigné scores from 9.6 to 13.0 vs 10.4 to 14.3. Revision total hip arthroplasty in patients 80 years and older was associated with substantial clinical improvement and patient satisfaction. However, medical complications and 90-day mortality were higher, and postoperative fractures occurred more frequently.