New uses for gentamicin-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate spacers in two-stage revision hip arthroplasty

The use of antibiotic-impregnated cement as a bone spacer in two-stage revision hip surgery has been well described. Two additional placements for spacers are described: within the trochanteric osteotomy and overlying the greater trochanter. These spacers have been found to dramatically facilitate exposure at the second-stage procedure and are now being incorporated into all two-stage revision hip arthroplasties at The General Infirmary at Leeds.