Templating for total hip arthroplasty requires proper radiographic calibration. One option for radiograph calibration is using a cobalt-chrome femoral head ball. The authors reviewed radiographs and clinical data for patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty. Radiographs were calibrated using a 28-mm cobalt-chrome femoral head ball. Agreements between templated and actual implant size were calculated. The templated acetabulum matched within one size of the actual acetabulum in 76.7% to 80.0% of cases. The templated femur matched within one size of the actual femur in 83.3% to 93.3% of cases. This technique is an attractive option when a standardized calibration marker is unavailable. [ Orthopedics . 2019; 42(3):e346–e349.]

OBJECTIVE To determine what factors increase the risk of early wound complications in patients undergoing direct anterior total hip arthroplasty whose wounds were closed with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate with mesh. METHODS This study was a retrospective review of 75 consecutive patients who underwent direct anterior total hip arthroplasty closed with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate with mesh. MAIN RESULTS Of 29 patients who were smokers, five patients (17.2%) developed a wound complication, whereas out of 46 nonsmokers, only one patient (2.2%) developed a wound complication (P = .029). CONCLUSIONS The authors recommend a closure technique that sufficiently protects the wound during healing, as well as preoperative patient optimization and smoking cessation.

To investigate patient factors influencing length-of-stay (LOS) after revision metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: We reviewed 23 hips undergoing revision of a MoM THA with minimum 2-year follow-up. A multiple linear regression was calculated to predict LOS using multiple variables. Results: Average length of stay (LOS) was 2.1 days. Multiple linear regression analysis identified a significant correlation between presence of an abductor injury (beta = 0.8886; p < 0.0001), patient age (beta = −0.4452, p = 0.0083), and pre-revision head size (beta = 0.4082; p = 0.0172) with LOS (R 2 = 0.6351, p = 0.0002). Conclusion:Patients with abductor injury, larger femoral heads, and younger age are at risk for longer LOS.

Investigating patients' perceptions regarding need for antibiotic prophylaxis during dental procedures after undergoing joint arthroplasty. Methods: Questionnaire was administered to patients presenting at: 1)an orthopaedic office; 2)a dental office; regarding perceptions of antibiotic prophylaxis. Results: 36 orthopaedic patients responded "Yes" to always taking prophylaxis; 36 patients responded "No" (36/ 72, 50.0% compliance). Five dental patients responded "Yes" to always taking prophylaxis; 19 patients responded "No" (5/24, 20.8% compliance) (p = 0.017). 67/135 orthopaedic patients (49.6%) endorsed some form of dental prophylaxis, versus 34/58 dental patients (58.6%) (p = 0.27). Conclusion: Patient perceptions of the need for dental prophylaxis vary within orthopaedic and dental practices.