[Current status of revision total hip arthroplasty in Germany].
BACKGROUND
Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) has gained importance over the past few years. However, in the literature, there are many recommendations for both surgical intervention and postoperative rehabilitation. The purpose of this nationwide German survey was to identify the actual treatment of revision THA and to compare the findings of this study with guidelines in the current literature.


METHODS
All orthopedic and traumatological hospitals listed in the "List of German Hospitals 2006" were invited via e-mail to take part in an anonymous survey. The questionnaire contained general questions such as hospital and department size and particular questions regarding the treatment of revision THA patients of each interviewed department.


RESULTS
A total of 578 (44.7%) of all invited hospitals took part in this study. Out of these, 463 (78%) hospitals performed revision THA. Mostly, cementless revision stems and cementless press-fit cups were used as revision implants. Differences in proceeding revision THA were found in infection THA and in particular if the infection appeared early (after 6 weeks following implantation). In a high number of cases the patient was sent to inpatient rehabilitation in the early postoperative course with nursing aspects being more important for the elderly and immobile patient at this postoperative point.


CONCLUSIONS
In many aspects, revision THA is not performed consistently in Germany. In particular, in the postoperative course, a standardized therapeutic pathway was not always identified.
Lakemeier
Stefan
S
Klinik für Orthopädie und Rheumatologie, Universitätsklinikum Giessen und Marburg GmbH, Standort Marburg, Marburg, Deutschland. lakemeie@med.uni-marburg.de
Peterlein
Christian D
CD
Belz
Alexander
A
Timmesfeld
Nina
N
Fuchs-Winkelmann
Susanne
S
Schofer
Markus D
MD
D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D016896:Treatment Outcome