International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Aug 1994
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPreoperative versus postoperative radiotherapy for prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO): first results of a randomized trial in high-risk patients.
In vivo data support the effectiveness of pre- and postoperative radiotherapy in suppressing the development of heterotopic ossification after hip surgery. In June 1992 a prospectively randomized trial was initiated to assess the comparative efficacy of pre- vs. postoperative prophylactic radiotherapy in patients with high risk to develop heterotopic ossification after hip surgery. ⋯ Preoperative radiotherapy of the operative site applied within 4 h prior to elective hip surgery and total hip arthroplasty appears to be equally effective to currently accepted postoperative radiotherapy regimens in prevention of clinically significant heterotopic ossification about the hip. Improved patient comfort, ease of treatment management, and avoidance of possible postoperative complications associated with moving and positioning the patient in the immediate postoperative period are the major advantages of the preoperative radiotherapy concept.