Total hip replacement: a retrospective multicentric analysis on re-intervention rate after single component revision

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) revision is a procedure consisting in the replacement of a single or multiple implant components and could take place once or more times (re-revision). The aim of this multicentre study is to evaluate the benefits of single component revision in respect of the principles that define implant stability. Two hundred and forty-two patients underwent THA revision at Orthopaedic Clinic of Pisa and Versilia (ITA) from January 2007 to December 2016. We have systematically excluded revisions due to septic or traumatic prosthesis loosening, revisions of both implant components (cotyle and stem) and replacement alone. To evaluate implant stability, we used preoperative X ray and intra-operative mechanical stress tests, applying accredited criteria. Two hundred and twenty-six patients (93%) underwent a single procedure of THA revision: 193 had cotyle replacement and 33 had femoral stem replacement. The remaining 16 (7 %) underwent at least two procedures: 10 of them had consecutive failure of the same component, while the other 6 had revision of the other component after the first procedure. Considering our cases series, we can assert that single component revision is the best choice when no signs of loosening are present on the remaining component. Nevertheless, an accurate evaluation with unanimous radiological criteria and intraoperative testing is essential for the surgeon to choose the most suitable treatment.