Resection arthroplasty for nonseptic failure of total hip arthroplasty.

Although resection arthroplasty is a well-recognized salvage procedure for septic total hip arthroplasty, the nonseptic complications of total hip arthroplasty are customarily handled by revision and replacement of a new total hip implant. Some of the severe forms of failure of total hip arthroplasty in the absence of infection may require resection arthroplasty. The indication is massive loss of available bone stock for the revision operation. This may result from technical errors or progressive and extensive destruction of bone associated with loosened components. Concern for this outcome is important for assessing the probabilities of long-term success of the use of total hip arthroplasty in young patients.