Extensile Exposures for Revision Hip Arthroplasty

Revision arthroplasty is being performed with increasing frequency and the cases are becoming increasingly complex. A key component to successful revision surgery is the surgical exposure. This is influenced by the surgeon’s experience, the reason for revision, the type of components to be revised, the type of bone defects, and the previous exposures used. In simple revisions one of the standard hip approaches with which the surgeon is familiar often will suffice. However, with more complex cases an extensile or specialized approach may be necessary. No one approach is suitable for all cases and the surgeon must be familiar with several approaches, their relative indications, and possible complications.