A review of early mortality and morbidity in elderly patients following Charnley total hip replacement.

To assess the effects of ageing upon the outcome of total hip replacement, the in-patient records of 100 elderly patients who had undergone Charnley hip replacement procedures within the last decade were reviewed. There were 74 women and 26 men and their mean age was 80 years. Osteoarthritis was the cause of hip disease in 94 patients and rheumatoid arthritis the cause in the remaining six patients. The early mortality and morbidity rates were 4% and 77%, respectively, and the average duration of hospital treatment 42 days. Infection was the commonest post-operative complication followed by mental confusion and adverse drug reactions; multiple complications were a frequent finding. Avoidable complications are indicated and recommendations made regarding the pre-operative, operative and post-operative management of elderly patients.