[Secondary intervention after hip prosthesis (author's transl)].

From 1965-1975 in the orthopedical Univ. Clinic Balgrist, Zurich, there were 177 reoperations after total hip prostheses necessary. In 91 replacements the interval between first and second operation was an average of 4.1 years, in 67 prosthesis-removements 2.1 years. The follow-up showed a relationship between bacteriological culture taken before and during operation and clinical results. The decision to change or remove the prostheses should be made on the positive or negative bacteriological results.