We reviewed 122 single-stage bilateral total hip replacements as
compared with two other regimens: bilateral total hip replacement performed
in stages during the same hospitalization and during separate
hospitalizations. When compared with the single procedures, the duration of
surgery in the one-stage procedure was not quite doubled while the blood
loss was increased by about one-third and the length of stay by about one
week. However, the total length of stay in the hospital was reduced by
about one-half in comparison with single-admission two-stage replacements
and the incidence of local and systemic complications was similar for all
three groups, as were the clinical and roentgenographic results. There was
one death in the single-stage group due to massive fat embolus.