Cerclage Breakage in Trochanteric Revision - High Risk for Hip Endoprosthesis?

We report a 72-year-old man who underwent fixation with a multifilament cerclage system after a peri-prosthetic trochanteric fracture (Vancouver A1). Failure of cerclage occurred after 23 month and revision of trochanteric attachment was performed due to non-union. Intraoperatively fragments of the cable were found between prosthesis head and liner. Cup and head were changed and the greater trochanter was re-attached after allograft-impaction. Based on the present case report multifilament cerclage cables should be used with precaution and might require a close and frequent follow-up given the possibility of cerclage breakage and consecutive catastrophic wear by migration of cerclage particles. Key words: cerclage, cerclage breakage, greater trochanter, revision.