[Hip tumor prosthesis--indication in a trauma center and results].

This is a report about six cases of replacement of the proximal femur by a cementless special prosthesis in modular system done in the Unfallkrankenhaus Wien-Meidling. One of the patients suffered by a lymphoma, three others had fractures caused by bone metastasis. One was a pertrochanteric fracture complicated by osteoporosis, and finally one fracture of the femur preceded by an insufficient implantation of a semitotal hip replacement. The hipsocket was supplied four times by a cementfree Polyäthylensocket, in one case a CLW-ring was implanted. Investigation showed that after a little more than two months the stump of femur became porous and by an average of eleven months the prosthesis was covered by bone. The complications were in one case an incomplete fracture of the diaphysis and in another case a luxation for three times. There are several indications for a tumor prosthesis: 1. Primary and secondary malignant tumors. 2. Bone metastasis with or without fractures. 3. Comminuted fractures complicated by various factors, e.g. osteoporosis. 4. Loosening of prosthesis with poor bone conditions or failed implantation of a standard prosthesis. Although the successes seem to be quite promisingly, this method should be applied in a quite differentiated way, as any retreat is nearly impossible, once started.