Background: The literature suggests that a cemented long-stem femoral arthroplasty is associated with increased intraoperative and perioperative risks. Embolic events may precipitate cardiopulmonary complications and even death; by contrast, others have reported that the use of a cemented long-stem femoral arthroplasty in patients with metastatic bone disease is a safe procedure.
Questions/purposes: Specifically, in this study, we sought to identify (1) intraoperative complications potentially attributable to the use of cemented long-stem femoral components, and (2) early postoperative complications potentially attributable to the use of cemented long-stem femoral components in patients having an arthroplasty for metastatic bone disease.
Methods: In this study, we performed a retrospective chart review of 42 patients (44 arthroplasties), in which the same surgical technique was used. The primary outcome measure was perioperative complications, including intraoperative cement-associated desaturation, cement-associated hypotension, sympathomimetic administration, postoperative hypotension/desaturation, and death.
Results: In this series, 19% of the patients had cement-associated hypotension and sympathomimetics were administered to 48%. Two patients required prolonged intubation. One death occurred during hospitalization but there were no cardiopulmonary events.
Conclusions: This study showed that some patients experienced postoperative desaturation, prolonged intubation, and increased use of sympathomimetics, however, these events were short-lived and did not result in patient mortality. Although there are significant risks to cemented long-stem femoral arthroplasty, it can be performed with a low risk of fatal cardiopulmonary complications and remains a surgical option when treating patients with metastatic bone disease.
Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.