One-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty. A prospective study of perioperative morbidity.

Controversy exists over the safety of performing one-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty. A prospective protocol was established in 35 patients to evaluate the perioperative morbidity of one-stage bilateral arthroplasty as compared with unilateral controls. Although there was no increase in the frequency of respiratory morbidity in bilateral procedures, respiratory depression is common with both procedures. The authors believe this is consistent with varying degrees of the adult respiratory distress syndrome and that the term fat embolism syndrome is misleading and should be abandoned.