OBJECTIVETo analyze the results of cortical windowing of the femoral diaphysis for well-fixed cement/plug removal during hip revision surgery.

METHODSFrom May 2005 to June 2009, 14 patients (14 hips) were undergone revision total hip arthroplasty (THA), window was cut into the cortex of the femur, and the well-fixed cement/plug distal to the window was removed under the direct vision. After reimplanted the cementless revision stem, the cortical lids were replanted and fixed with 2 to 3 cerclage wires. Six patients who had suffered from osteoporosis were undergone morselized bone graft to the osteotomy site. Postoperatively, the patients were maintained at partial weight-bearing (touchdown) for 6 weeks and then advanced as they were able.

RESULTSThe length of the cortical windows varied from 2.5 to 6.0 cm (mean, 3.4 cm), the width ranged from 0.8 to 1.4 cm (mean, 1.2 cm). In one patient the window was enlarged during the procedure to facilitate the cement/plug removal. The mean radiologically healing time for the windows was 19 weeks. There was no intraoperative femoral perforation during cement/plug removal. One femoral fracture during the revision stem was implanted. No postoperative periprosthetic fracture and other complications such as infection, implant subsidence occurred during the fellow-up. There was no femoral thigh pain or implant loosening with femoral window.

CONCLUSIONThe cortical windowing technique is very helpful to facilitate the well-fixed cement/plug distal to the prosthesis tip removal and the windows heal rapidly and decrease the femoral complications associated with revision THA.