A comparison of postoperative microbiological and histological test results with the indication for revision as listed at the time of surgery in the National Joint Registry: a single-centre cohort study of metal-on-metal total hip replacement and hip

We observed that the results of histology and microbiology analyses of intraoperative samples may provide evidence to support alternative diagnoses in 20% of cases. This indicates a need for a change in the work-up of these cases to allow a more accurate prediction of the indication for revision. Alternatively, if there was evidence of a difference in outcome for patients where the indication may be changed when such data becomes available, the feasibility of a facility to add additional information from samples taken intraoperatively when it becomes available should be explored.