The importance of efficient and bone-sparing implant removal cannot be overemphasized. Care and efficiency with this part of the procedure sets the reconstructive portion of the procedure up for success. Likewise, problems that develop in this portion of the procedure will echo throughout the procedure, often causing further problems.

Successful removal of implants in total hip arthroplasty (THA) requires careful preoperative planning.

In all cases, every attempt should be made to obtain the outside hospital records. This is useful for sizing, for determining the need for standard equipment (for example, hexagonal head versus cruciate head screwdrivers), for identifying the need for specialized extraction tools, and for predicting otherwise unsuspected intraoperative difficulties.

Preoperative radiographs should be carefully evaluated and can often help predict areas at risk for bone damage or bone loss on both the pelvic and the femoral side of the hip.

Implant-specific removal tools (when the design of existing implant is known)

Large bone tamp

Drill bit and 50-mm 6.5-mm cancellous bone screw and companion drill bit

Curved osteotomes designed for cup extraction

Special curved blade cup removal tool (for example, Explant system, Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, Indiana)

Small sagittal saw

Gigli saw and handles

High-speed burr with standard and pencil tips, metal-cutting burr

Universal stem extractor

Long-handled hip osteotomes (i.e., Moreland osteotomes, Depuy Synthes, Warsaw, Indiana)

Ultrasonic cement removal system (i.e., Oscar, Orthofix Inc., Lewisville, Texas)

Trephines

Large drill bit from femoral nail set

Broken hardware removal set (if broken screws are present)

Universal hardware removal set (if implant/screws are of unknown design)

A key to successful removal of implants in THA is understanding the specific features of the implants that are coming out (Figure 24.1).

By examining the radiographs try to identify areas of bone loss and predict areas where the bone will be weak and at risk for fracture.

Know the previous operations

Any extensile approach to the hip joint can be used: anterolateral, posterolateral, or transtrochanteric, but understand how to perform each extensile approach when needed, including extended trochanteric osteotomy (ETO) (laterally based posterior to anterior, laterally based anterior to posterior, or anteriorly based [Wagner style] lateral to medial).

The hip is dislocated, the femoral head disimpacted with a bone tamp and mallet, and the femur retracted to expose the acetabulum if only the acetabulum will be revised.

Circumferential exposure of the acetabulum is critical for safe and efficient implant removal.

Use straight or curved pointed retractors (i.e., Hohmann) placed into the bone of the ilium superiorly and the base of the ischium inferiorly, along with a curved blunt retractor over the anterior wall just above the iliopsoas tendon. Alternative or additional retractors can be placed along the outer table of the posterior column just above or just below the posterior inferior iliac spine to expose the posterior wall and posterior column. Additional retractors are placed as needed to improve the exposure, and a hook around the neck of the femur can help pull it out of the field especially for isolated acetabular revision procedures. Generally at least 3 retractors are needed.