Success

Sixty-five total hip arthroplasties were reinserted after sepsis around the hip, positive cultures being obtained from fifty-six. Although 65 per cent ofpatients still have their implant in position, only sixteen of sixty-five (25 per cent) show an excellent or good result on a Harris rating. Twenty-three of sixty-five (35 per cent) subsequently required an excision arthroplasty. The indications and contraindications for this procedure are given. Total hip replacement is nowadays accepted as the operation of choice for arthritic conditions of the hip in the elderly patient. The most serious complication is deep infection; the natural history of this problem has previously been reported (Hunter and Dandy 1977). Hon et a!. (1 978) reported that approximately 80 000 total hip replacements were carried out in the Table I. Results of revision of total hip replacement after sepsis Author Number of patient