Ten-year survivorship of the Anatomique Benoist Girard I total hip arthroplasty

The Anatomique Benoist Girard (ABG) I total hip arthroplasty has been widely used in Europe since 1989. Two recent midterm reports have shown high rates of component failure secondary to polyethylene wear. To further investigate this issue, our study prospectively follows 157 consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties using the ABG I prosthesis at an average follow-up of 10 years. Clinical outcomes have been excellent, although the incidence of thigh pain was 7.2%. Radiographic evaluation of the cup showed eccentric polyethylene wear in 93.6% of the patients. The average polyethylene linear wear was 2.40 mm, whereas the average annual wear rate was 0.25 mm/y. There were 7 hips (5.6%) with severe periacetabular osteolysis. Nine revisions were performed for loosening or wear. The overall component survival rate was 92.6%. The,overall survival rate was 92.6% (confidence interval, 78.55-96.47) for the acetabular component and 96.3% (confidence interval, 85.67-100) for the femoral component. Although the clinical and radiographic results of the ABG I total hip arthroplasty in this series have been acceptable, high rates of polyethylene wear, most likely related to sterilization by gamma-irradiation in air, have been the limiting factor in the long-term success of this design.