Total hip arthroplasty after acetabular fractures in the older population: timing of intervention may improve patient outcomes

The outcome of conversion total hip arthroplasty following acetabular fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

BACKGROUND

Conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) is considered the main treatment plan for patients with first-line treatment failure of acetabulum fracture. This meta-analysis aims to assess the effect of the type of initial treatment and timing of surgery on the outcomes of conversion THA.

METHODS

Using PRISMA guidelines, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL Cochrane were searched for articles published before October 14, 2022. Comparative studies investigating the outcome of THA following treatment failure of acetabular fracture were included. These articles were categorized into three groups, and the outcomes of treatment plans in each group were compared: (A) primary THA vs. conversion THA, (B) THA following conservative treatment vs. THA following ORIF, and (C) acute THA vs. delayed THA following prior treatment failure. Review Manager (RevMan, version 5.3) software was utilized to perform the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-four comparative studies met the inclusion criteria (reported the data of 13,373 patients). Concerning group (A), the following complications were significantly higher in conversion THA: Infection (OR [95% CI] 3.19 [2.12, 4.79]; p value < 0.00001), dislocation (OR [95% CI] 4.58 [1.56, 13.45]; p value = 0.006), heterotopic ossification (OR [95% CI] 5.68 [3.46, 9.32]; p value < 0.00001), and Revision (OR [95% CI] 2.57 [1.65, 4.01]; p value < 0.00001). Postoperative HHS (SMD [95% CI] - 0.66 [- 1.24, - 0.08]; p value = 0.03) was significantly lower and operation time (SMD [95% CI] 0.88 [0.61, 1.15]; p value < 0.00001), blood loss (SMD [95% CI] 0.83 [0.56, 1.11]; p value < 0.00001), and bone graft need (OR [95% CI] 27.84 [11.80, 65.65]; p value < 0.00001) were significantly higher in conversion THA. Regarding group (B), bone graft need (OR [95% CI] 0.48 [0.27, 0.86]; p value = 0.01) was considerably higher in patients with prior acetabular fracture conservative treatment, while other outcomes were comparable. Respecting group (C), there were no significant differences in analyzed outcomes. However, systematically reviewing existing literature suggested a higher incidence rate of DVT following acute THA.

CONCLUSION

There were significantly higher postoperative complications and lower functional outcomes in conversion THA compared to primary THA. While complications and functional outcomes were comparable between ORIF and the conservative groups, the bone graft need was significantly higher in the conservative group. There were no significant differences between aTHA and dTHA. These results can assist surgeons in designing treatment plans based on each patient's clinical situation. Prospero registration code: CRD42022385508.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III/IV.

Risk of Revision and Complications after Total Hip Arthroplasty for Acute Treatment of Acetabular Fracture

BACKGROUND

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) for the treatment of acute acetabular fractures may be indicated where there is high risk for failure of open reduction and internal fixation. This study aimed to determine risks of revision and rates of major complications of THA for acute acetabular fractures.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed (all-claims data files of a large national database) by querying International Classification of Disease, tenth revision procedure codes for THA within 14 days of acetabular fracture. We identified all-cause revision and surgical complications including dislocations, mechanical failures (loosenings or broken prostheses), infections, as well as medical complications. Demographic data collected included age, sex, obesity and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Multivariate analyses evaluated the association of revision and major surgical complications after adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbidities. We identified 956 THAs for the treatment of acute acetabular fracture from 2015 to 2020. Of all acute acetabular fractures treated with THA, 241 were concomitant with ORIF, and 715 were THA alone.

RESULTS

All-cause revision risk was 18.2%, overall major surgical complication rate 26.9%, and medical complication rate was 13.2%. Women were associated with increased risk of revision (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 1.8; Confidence Interval (CI) 1.3-2.6, P=0.001), dislocation (aOR 2.0; CI 1.5-3.1, P<0.001), mechanical complication (aOR 2.1; CI 1.4-3.2, P<0.001), and infection (aOR 1.6; CI 1.0-2.5, P=0.044).

CONCLUSION

We noted risk of all-cause revision of 18.2%, overall major surgical complication rate of 26.9%, and overall major medical complication rate of 13.2% for THA as the treatment of acute acetabular fracture. We caution against broad expansion of THA for treatment of acute acetabular fractures. Furthermore, increased risks of revision and complications in women warrant additional investigation into patient and fracture characteristics that may contribute to this finding.