Total hip replacement by the Brunswik prosthesis. A preliminary report of 189 operations

The results of 189 Brunswik total hip replacements, performed at the Orthopaedic Hospital of the Invalid Foundation, Helsinki, Finland, and followed up for 2-3 years, are presented. According to the modified system of Merle D'Aubigne & Postel excellent results were achieved in 11.1 per cent (21/189), good in 56.6 per cent (107/189) and fair in 27.5 per cent (52/189). The failure rate was 4.8 per cent (9/189) and consisted of four deep infections, four cases of aseptic loosening and one case of allergic loosening. Local complications occurred after primary operations in 7.5 per cent (12/159) and after revision operations in 26.7 per cent (8/30) and the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). Among the complications, deep infections were encountered in 2.6 per cent (5/189), aseptic loosenings in 2.1 per cent (4/189). Other local complications were: ectopic ossification in 1.6 per cent (3/189), nerve injuries in 1.6 per cent (3/189), dislocations in 1.1 per cent (2/189), and peroperative fractures in 1.1 per cent (2/189). General complications were observed in 8.9 per cent (17/189). Thromboembolic complications were only seen in 2.6 per cent (5/189). A possible explanation for this low figure was the early ambulation of the patients on the first postoperative day. No deaths related to the operation occurred.