Preoperative planning in revision hip surgery

The usefulness of preoperative planning has been described by various studies. In revision hip surgery this method helps to analyze biomechanical changes due to bony defects and suggests a surgical tactic for restoration of hip function. When using this method the surgeon gains information of biomechanical changes which have to be addressed in order to achieve good postoperative results. Data of 100 revision hip cases, performed between 1993 and 1997, where preoperative planning was performed, show a correct prediction of stem size in 85 % and of cup size in 78 % of the cases. Preoperative limb shortening averaging 14.5 mm preoperatively was significantly reduced to 3 mm postoperatively. Centerpoint of rotation on the operated side was normalized from 12.1 mm preoperatively to 3.6 mm postoperatively. Postoperative dislocation rate was 2 %. We conclude that the method described is comparatively easy and effective.