Comparison of short-term clinical results between synchronous and staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

Objective To compare the clinical outcomes and safety of synchronous vs staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA).Methods Fifty-eight cases (116 hip joints) undergone bilateral THA from January 2008 to January 2010 were reviewed retrospectively.Follow-up period was postoperative 2 years,including synchronous bilateral THA in 29 cases (synchronous group) and staged bilateral THA in 29 cases (staged group).The two patient groups were compared in aspects of total operation time,total amount of blood loss,total amount of blood transfusion,duration and cost of hospitalization,postoperative discrepancy in bilateral leg length,preoperative and postoperative function score and perioperative complications.Results During the follow-up,no complications of incision infection,deep vein thrombosis and prothesis dislocation or loosening were noted.And postoperative delirium symptoms occurred only in four cases (three in synchronous group and one in staged group).There were no statistical differences between synchronous group and staged group in aspects of total operating time [(117.9 ± 23.8) minutes vs (124.1 ± 18.8) minutes],total amount of blood loss [338.1 ml (180-720 ml) vs 303.9 ml (200-600 rnl)],total amount of blood transfusion [227.6 ml (0-800 ml) vs 189.7 ml (0-400 ml)],postoperative function score.However,differences of the following data were considered statistical significance between synchronous group and staged group:expense of hospitalization [9.5 ten thousand yuan (7.0-11.3 ten thousand yuan) vs 10.5 ten thousand yuan (8.8-11.0 ten thousand yuan)],length of hospitalization [(12.1 ±3.2) days vs (20.1 ±3.5) days],postoperative discrepancy in bilateral leg length [(0.11 ± 0.22) cm vs (0.42 ± 0.44) cm].Conclusions Synchronous bilateral THA is safe and feasible as far as the patients' physical condition is allowed,perioperative management is rational and physicians have mature surgical techniques.Moreover,it gains advantage over staged bilateral THA considering cost of hospitalization,length of hospitalization and postoperative discrepancy in bilateral leg. Key words: Hip injuries; Arthroplasty, replacement, hip; Recovery of function; Leg length inequality