Complication, Survival, and Reoperation Rates Following Girdlestone Resection Arthroplasty

Failed hip arthroplasty patients unsuitable for reimplantation may be offered Girdlestone resection arthroplasty (GRA). The purpose of this study was to detail complication and failure rates following GRA. Our results show that 66% (25/38), 34% (13/38), and 76% (29/38) of GRA patients experienced minor, major, and overall complications, respectively. Within 90 days of surgery, three patients required additional surgery and four died. Reoperation or death occurred an average of 26.3 (SD = 3.5) and 55.6 (SD = 76) months after surgery, respectively. Male gender and increasing comorbidity significantly predicted higher reoperation and mortality rates, P = 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively. Complication and mortality rates following GRA are among the highest reported succeeding elective hip surgery for non-traumatic etiology.