Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41815990›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of surgery case reports2026

The hole story: a case report of a ceramic implant's unexpected journey.

Amanda O'Halloran, Shane Guerin

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of surgery case reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Amanda O'HalloranDepartment of Orthopaedics, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
Shane GuerinRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Catastrophic failure of ceramic-on-polyethylene (CoP) total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a rare but severe complication. While ceramics offer superior wear resistance, polyethylene liner degradation can progress silently over decades, culminating in component failure, metallosis, and functional decline. Presentation of case: We report the case of a 66-year-old female who presented with pain and mechanical symptoms 20 years after a CoP "DURALOC" Exeter THA. Imaging revealed eccentric polyethylene wear and acetabular osteolysis. Intraoperatively, the ceramic femoral head was found to have eroded through the polyethylene liner and acetabular shell, accompanied by gross metallosis and joint subluxation. Revision surgery involved full component exchange, debridement, and successful reconstruction. Clinical discussion: This case highlights the potential for catastrophic failure in long-standing CoP implants and emphasizes the importance of long-term surveillance. Despite the durability of ceramic components, polyethylene wear remains a critical factor in implant longevity. Conclusion: Early detection of polyethylene wear is essential to prevent catastrophic failure. Regular follow-up and prompt revision can result in excellent postoperative outcomes, even after severe implant degradation.

Indexed as

case reportcatastrophic failureimplant wearrevision arthroplasty

Identifiers

PMID41815990
PMCPMC12970732

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.