Exchange Arthroplasty Best for Infected Total Hip Replacement

Abstract

Thirty-seven patients with infected total hip replacements, treated by either exchange hip replacement with antibiotic loaded acrylic cement, or excision arthroplasty, were assessed after an average of five years. Recurrence of infection was comparable in both groups but exchange arthoplasty gave superior functional results. The success of exchange arthroplasty in the hands of general orthopaedic surgeons was similar to that of tertiary referral centres specialising in hip surgery. When technically possible, exchange seems to be preferable to excision arthroplasty in infected hip replacement.