Disseminated intravascular coagulation during total hip replacement.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is an extremely serious hemorrhagic disorder and one that is potentially lethal. DIC is more frequently observed as a complication of obstetric pathologies, diffused neoplasms, bacterial sepsis, blood transfusions, traumas and adipose embolias. The literature reports very few cases occurring after total hip replacement, two of which the cause of death.

Severe wear from retrieved alumina-on-alumina coupled implant: a case report.

This study details the in vivo wear behavior of an alumina acetabular cup and a femoral head on a retrieved non-cemented hip prosthesis. A commercial alumina ceramic-on-ceramic prosthesis was retrieved from a patient previously treated for bilateral hip arthrosis in "coxa profunda". Massive wear was found on the retrieved alumina ceramic head and acetabular cup.

Hip arthroplasty after femoral osteotomy.

The authors report the results of 56 prosthetic implants on previous femoral osteotomy. The cases submitted to surgery, some time after the operation, present with clinical-radiographic results (movement and risk of loosening) that are worse than those cases that had not undergone osteotomy. Among complications, a higher incidence of intraoperative fractures and nerve paralysis were observed.

Hip arthroplasty in the elderly patient: is it a correct indication?

The authors report the results of 54 primary hip arthroplasty implants performed in patients aged over 75 years. The cases examined demonstrated that this type of surgery is not contraindicated in elderly patients as the occurrence of complications and perioperative risks are not higher if compared with a "younger" population. Preoperative anesthesiological evaluation that is extremely accurate is required.