Preoperative planning for revision total hip arthroplasty.

Revision total hip arthroplasty is associated with more perioperative complications and unexpected findings than are encountered during primary total hip arthroplasty. Special instruments, implants, bone grafts, and other accessories may be required to treat complex problems that arise during revision surgery. Preoperative planning is important to anticipate potential complications and to ensure that all possible needed materials are readily available during surgery. Patients and their families also should be counseled on the specific additional risk factors involved in this complex surgery. An organized approach to revision total hip arthroplasty helps to reduce surgical time, minimize risks, decrease the stress level of the entire surgical team, and to increase the rate of successful outcomes for patients.