Preoperative planning for revision total hip arthroplasty

Perioperative complications and unexpected findings at surgery are much more common in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) compared with the primary setting. The surgeon often is faced with problems during surgery that require special instruments, implants, bone grafts, or other accessories that frequently are not available unless the potential need for these items was anticipated during the preoperative planning process. Anticipation of possible complications also is crucial in the process of informed consent. Patients should be counseled regarding the specific additional risks they face. Preoperative planning is the first and probably the most important step in doing revision THA. An organized approach helps shorten the operative time, minimize risk, decrease the stress level of the surgeon and operative team, and increase the success rate of these complex cases.