Medium Term Outcome of Lancaster Cortical Window Technique For Extraction of Femoral Stem in Revision Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract

Background The extraction of a femoral stem during the revision hip arthroplasty can be a daunting task and can lead to catastrophic complications for the patient. A sound technique employed intraoperatively helps in speedy recovery of the patient and reduces the risk of future surgical interventions. In this study, we present a medium-term outcome of our novel Lancaster Cortical Window technique which can be used for removal of cemented or uncemented femoral stems. Methodology The study was conducted at a specialist centre in the North-West of the UK from January 2014 to May 2019. This is a retrospective case series where patients were treated surgically using Lancaster Cortical Window technique for removal of femoral implant during a revision hip arthroplasty. Patient’s electronic notes and the radiographs were used to evaluate the functional and radiological outcome. Results In this study, 18 patients were managed surgically using Novel Lancaster Window technique. The mean age of the all the patients was 81.5 years and the male to female ratio was 10:8. Fifteen patients underwent revision surgery for aseptic loosening of the femoral and acetabular component. Rest of the three patients had revision surgery for a broken femoral stem, intraoperative femoral canal perforation while implanting a total hip replacement femoral stem and infection. Twelve femurs were replanted with uncemented long femoral stems and six with long cemented stems. The cortical window osteotomy united in all the patients in 4.2 months (mean). The mean follow up of these patients is 20.9 months, and none of them had any implant subsidence or loosening at the time of their last follow up. Conclusion We believe Lancaster cortical window technique can be safely used for removal of cemented stems during revision hip arthroplasty without the need for expensive equipment’s.