Effect of a centralizing device on cement mantle deficiencies and initial prosthetic alignment in total hip arthroplasty

Sixty consecutive patients undergoing a primary hybrid total hip arthroplasty were randomized to receive a femoral component either with or without a distal centralizing device. The group with a centralizer had significantly fewer patients with cement mantle deficiencies (excessively thin areas of cement) than the group without a centralizer (P < .001). Furthermore, the centralizer group was, on average, in a neutral alignment, whereas the group without a centralizer was in a varus alignment (P < .001). It was concluded that the distal centralizing device significantly decreases the incidence of cement mantle deficiencies and reproducibly aids in achieving a more neutral prosthetic alignment.