Intraoperative complications of revision hip arthroplasty using a fully porous-coated straight cobalt-chrome femoral stem

The operative complications of a consecutive series of 135 cementless revision total hip arthroplasties using a fully porous-coated straight cobalt-chrome femoral stem were reviewed. Intraoperative complications occurred in 59 cases (44%), 22 of which (37%) involved more than one complication. Three categories of intraoperative complications were recorded: eccentric reaming, femoral perforation, and femoral fracture. Complications were noted to decrease throughout the period of the study. Surgical approach did not affect the complication rate. Stem length, stem diameter, and host-bone quality all affected the complication rate. Femoral perforations and fractures were more numerous with femoral stems longer than 200 mm. Larger-diameter femoral stems (greater than or equal to 18 mm) were associated with a higher complication rate (55%). Complications were also more numerous with poorer-quality host-bone. In cases of multiple complications, eccentric reaming often predisposed bone to perforation and subsequently to fracture. There was also greater blood loss in patients with intraoperative complications. Intraoperative complications may be avoided with the use of implants, as well as reaming no longer than absolutely necessary, and the use of intraoperative radiographs or flexible reamers early in femoral canal preparation.