Drain entrapment and titanium to ceramic head deposition

• Published in: The Journal of arthroplasty Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 713 - 717
• Main Authors: Luchetti, Wayne T., Copley, Lawson A., Vresilovic, Edward J., Black, Jonathan, Steinberg, Marvin E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-09-1998
• Subjects: closed reduction; drainage tube; femoral head; titanium; total hip arthroplasty; total hip arthroplasty; femoral head; drainage tube; closed reduction; titanium
• ISSN: 0883-5403; 1532-8406
• DOI: 10.1016/S0883-5403(98)80018-1

Postoperative dislocation remains one of the most frequent complications following total hip replacement. In this report, a case is presented that illustrates two potential concerns with postoperative dislocation and subsequent closed reduction. The first complication presented in this report is entrapment of a closed drainage system tube in the joint space following closed reduction. The second complication, transfer of metallic debris to a ceramic femoral head from contact with an acetabular shell during closed reduction, was documented by analysis of a femoral head using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry. This report emphasizes the need for the surgeon to express caution when relocating a dislocated hip, particularly when a closed drainage system is used postoperatively.