Revision hip arthroplasty. Can the octogenarian take it?

Fifty-six patients over the age of 80 undergoing revision hip arthroplasty in 57 hips were reviewed. The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was 81 years 6 months and the mean follow-up period was 2 years 6 months. No complications were seen in 21 patients. The complication encountered in the others were medical in 35 and procedure-related in 15. The preoperative risk factor rating (American Society of Anesthesiologists classification) correlated very well with the incidence and grading of medical complications. This correlation was significant, emphasizing the importance of strict preoperative medical and anesthetic assessment in this group of patients. The mean d'Aubigne and Postel hip score improved from 2.8, 2.2, and 3.4 to 5.6, 4.8, and 4.9 after revision surgery.