title: Prevention of heterotopic ossification in hip arthroplasties by means of an early single-dose radiotherapy (6 Gy).
abstract: Radiotherapy has proven to be efficient in the prevention of heterotopic bone formation. Its importance is increasing in the treatment of uncemented implants in prosthetic hip surgery, where a localized irradiation field is applied to cover the bone-implant interface. In a prospective study the efficiency of two radiation concepts using two different doses to prevent heterotopic ossifications after total hip arthroplasties or revision arthroplasties was compared. In 7 patients after fractioned irradiation (5 x 2 Gy), two recurrences of periarticular ossification occurred, whilst in 17 patients after a single-shot irradiation of 6 Gy on the first postoperative day, no recurrences were seen. There were no side-effects from the radiation. Radiological signs of lucent cement-free implants or delayed wound-healing were absent. Thus, a single shot of 6 Gy applied within 24 h postoperatively reliably prevents heterotopic bone formation. It is safer than 5 x 2 Gy and facilitates the management of the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morscher
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Schubert
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016896:Treatment Outcome