Retained Intrapelvic Trial Femoral Head After Total Hip Arthroplasty With 2 Decades of Follow-up

A 62-year-old man underwent a right total hip arthroplasty in 2006, during which the trial femoral head dislocated intraoperatively and migrated into the pelvis. Retrieval of the trial component was attempted during the index surgery but was unsuccessful. After disclosure to patient and family and extensive discussion regarding all possible management options, the decision was made to leave the component in situ with careful monitoring of the patient. After nearly 20 years, the patient reports no symptoms and shows no adverse effects of the retained trial head. To our knowledge, this is the longest follow-up reported on a patient with retained intrapelvic trial femoral head after total hip arthroplasty and suggests that retention may be a viable option if this unfortunate complication occurs.