Surgery

You will be admitted on the day prior to surgery to allow necessary preoperative examinations such as blood sampling, X-ray of the chest and ECG. You will be visited by the specialist anesthetist and if necessary by a specialist heart and lung physician.

In most cases general anesthesia is used. We prefer general anesthesia because of the posterolateral approach with patient positioned on his side and to obtain an optimal muscle relaxation, especially in case of a resurfacing procedure in young patients with strong muscles. Low bloodpressure is easier obtained to reduce the blood loss in surgery.

Before the operation the surgeon determines the size of the prosthesis with templates on the X-rays of the hip.

For surgical technique total hip replacement, see demo video sawbones and other videos on resurfacing.
For the normal hip anatomy of resurfacing prosthesis, see demo video sawbones.

After the operation, patient will be transferred to the recovery room for observation for a couple of hours. A check X-ray of the new hip will be taken and shown to the surgeon before patient returns to the hospital ward. There will be a drain in the hip wound draining blood from the operation site. Onset of rehabilitation depends on the type of prosthesis or surgery: the next day in case of a resurfacing procedure, and in case of a classical total hip replacement after 2-5 days in case of revision surgery.
Discharge out of the hospital depends on type of prosthesis, surgery and physical condition of the patient :

• resurfacing procedure : after 3-4 days
• a classical total hip prosthesis in the young active patient : after 5-7 days
• a classical total hip prosthesis in the elderly : after 7–14 days
• for revision surgery depending on extensiveness of the surgery and age of patient : after 7–21 days

 See also “Schedule for Overseas Patients”