Dislocation and infection after revision total hip arthroplasty: comparison between the first and multiply revised total hip arthroplasty.

Dislocation and infection are common complications of total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study evaluated the correlation between the number of revision THAs and the incidence of these complications. Data were obtained from 749 revision THAs. Average follow-up was 13.2 ± 5.9 years. Patients were grouped as first, second, third, and fourth or greater revision THA. Dislocation rates (5.68%, 7.69%, 8.33%, and 27.45%) and infection rates (1.35%, 1.92%, 2.5%, and 7.84%) in the first, second, third, and fourth or greater groups, respectively, correlated directly with the revision number and were highest (P < .001) in the fourth or greater group. Dislocation and infection are exponentially correlated with the number of revision THA. From the fourth revision onward, those risks are multiplied.