Total hip arthroplasty performed during adolescence.

Six adolescent patients with 10 severely arthritic hips underwent total hip arthroplasty to regain mobility. Significant intraoperative complications, including difficult intubations, excessive blood loss, and poor fitting components, were encountered. At an average of 7 years 11 months after surgery, 33% of the acetabular components had been revised for symptomatic loosening. In spite of the high failure rates, the psychological and social benefits of improved mobility were substantial.