Previous external beam radiation therapy for pelvic malignancy increases complications of total hip arthroplasty

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has known effects on bone health. No large database studies have looked at the effects of pelvic EBRT on total hip arthroplasty (THA) outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 90-day and long-term (>2 years) complication rates following THA in patients with a history of pelvic malignancy and EBRT.

Patients were retrospectively identified using a national insurance claims database. Subjects who underwent THA for osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis were included if they had at least 2-year follow-up and were stratified into 3 cohorts: (1) prior pelvic malignancy diagnosis (prostate, cervical, uterine, ovarian, or rectal) and EBRT (Group A); (2) prior malignancy diagnosis but no EBRT (Group B); and (3) neither prior malignancy diagnosis nor EBRT (Group C). Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate for an association between prior EBRT and the incidence of 90-day and 2-year complication rates using chi-square, student t-tests, and logistic regression analyses where appropriate.

671,554 patients met the inclusion criteria. Group A had higher odds of all-cause revision, septic revision, and loosening with revision after 2 years when compared to Group C and Group B (p < 0.001). Group A subjects had higher rates of 90-day deep vein thrombosis, sepsis, and stroke (p < 0.001) than groups B and C.

Prior EBRT for pelvic malignancy was associated with significantly increased rates of all-cause revision, septic revision, and loosening as well as 90-day medical complications.