Cementless Vektor-titan stem in total hip arthroplasty.
BACKGROUND
Cementless THR is a well established, and a widely accepted optimal procedure for younger patients. The cementless Vektor-Titan stem is made of Ti6AI7Nb, has got the shape of a three-dimensional cone, and an optimal proximal anchoring property.


METHODS
The aim of this prospective study was to scrutinise the outcome of 250 Vektor-Titan stems in cementless THRs with an average follow-up time of 3.0 years (Min: 1, Max: 6). The average age of the patients including 148 women and 102 men was calculated with 54.6 years (Min: 22.5, Max: 77.7).


RESULTS
The score according to Merle d'Aubigné improved from preoperative 9.3 (Min: 7, Max: 13) to postoperative 17.0 (Min: 14, Max: 18). Distal cortical hypertrophy and proximal atrophy was detected in 4 cases. Single atrophy of the proximal femur was found in additional 3 cases. Progressive radiolucent lines in zone 1 and 7 according to Gruen were observed in one case. Postoperative local and general complications were seen as two subfascial hematomas, two single dislocations, two recurrent dislocations of the hip prosthesis, 6 lesions of the sciatic nerve (one persisting), two deep venous thrombosis, two pneumonias, and one lethal pulmonary embolism. A stable proximal fixation was achieved in 242 of 250 cases (96.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study using the Vektor-Titan stem in cementless total hip arthroplasty showed that the principle of proximal fixation was optimized. Long term follow-up studies are needed to confirm these good results.
Schuh
Alexander
A
Orthopädische Klinik Rummelsberg, Rummelsberg 71, 90592 Schwarzenbruck.
Ebert
Alexander
A
Holzwarth
Ulrich
U
Zeiler
Günther
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002484:Cementation; D015897:Comorbidity; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome