[Transabdominal removal of femoral and acetabular components of a severely protruded and infected hip arthroplasty with urinary tract complications].

We present the first report of transabdominal removal of femoral and acetabular components of a severely loosened hip prosthesis protruding into the pelvis. In a 73-year-old woman post-operative development of urinary tract complications emphasize importance of careful assessment of the prosthetic relations with the vascular and nervous structures as well as pelvic organs before removal of the hip prosthesis. Angio-computed tomography is the most contributive exploration to assess vascular relations. In patients with particular clinical presentations or with threatened structures in the vicinity of the prosthesis, this examination must be completed by complementary opacifications (urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, joints). Ureteral catheterization may be needed if the structures are close or if there is a suspected modification of the urinary tract (retraction, mass effect). In present case, we did not opacify the urinary tract before laparatomy despite the presence of urinary signs preoperatively. A suspected ureterovaginal fistula was discovered. But they where also a ureteral lesions which can result from difficult dissection in contact with infected tissues. In this patient, urinary complications led to nephrectomy after temporary pyelostomy for urine bypass. At last follow-up, the urinary tract infection was controlled but reimplantation was not attempted because of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and poor general condition. The spontaneous course of this infection with prosthesis loosening recalls the importance of regular surveillance of total hip replacements.