Revolutionised ‘Exeter Hip Replacement Surgery’ delivers successful results at Asiri Surgical Hospit

Asiri Surgical Hospital yet again proved to be one of the industries finest in introducing ethical healthcare solutions together with cutting-edge technology as they recently announced the use of the cemented hip replacement system called the ‘Exeter Hip System’ for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Hip arthroplasty (or commonly known as hip replacement) is a surgical procedure, where the existing natural hip joint is replaced by an artificial hip joint. Replacement of both sides of the joint is referred to as a total hip replacement, while replacement of the thigh side of the joint, following a fracture of the neck of femur (thigh bone) within the joint, as in this case, is referred to as a partial hip replacement or hemi-arthroplasty. The fixation of this artificial joint can be done with the use of cement (a cemented system) or without the use of cement (a cement-less system).

Dr. Sumedha Amarasekara and his team after successful completion of the surgery

The Exeter hip system is arguably one of the best hip replacement systems in use around the world today. The Exeter hip system, which is a cemented system, has a proven track record in all three hip registries namely; the Swedish hip registry which was started in 1975, the Australian in 2000 and the British in 2002. It has one of the lowest rates of ‘redo-surgery’ in hip replacement.

“This is great news for Sri Lanka in terms of technology driven surgical advancements. I am honoured to be part of the first surgical team to be involved in this historical event, which heralds two developments in the field of orthopaedics in Sri Lanka. Firstly, although we have used cement in hip replacements in the past, we did not have the necessary technology to ensure consistency in the cementation technique to an international standard. Secondly, the introduction of the Exeter hip system means, one can have a hip replacement in Sri Lanka (be it elective or secondary to a hip fracture) that is second to none anywhere else in the world,” said Asiri Central Hospital Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Sumedha Amarasekara. 

Dr. Amarasekara further added, “One of the most critical aspects in the treatment of hip fractures in the elderly is to ensure that they have ‘immediate post-operative mobility’ following the surgical procedure. A cemented hip arthroplasty system not only ensures this, but is also known to have lesser complications than a cementless system in the treatment of the elderly with hip fractures.” 

In the management of hip fractures, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK and the Australian/New Zealand orthopaedic guidelines recommend a cemented hip replacement over a cementless hip replacement. Peterson from Mt. Lavinia, an 82 year old gentleman, the first patient to receive the Exeter hip system will bear witness to this- thanks to the amazing recovery he’s experiencing at the moment. The operation was performed in the morning and Mr. Peterson was able to stand and transfer to a chair that very afternoon. He was walking up and down the corridor of the ward with the aid of a walker by the fourth post-operative day.