平特五不中

The 平特五不中 Health Centre (MUHC) has set up a hotline for patients who have recently had hip arthroplasty surgery. This hotline has been established to address patients' concerns regarding the possible risk associated with the use of a particular acetabular reamer system.

One hundred and seventy-nine patients of the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) of the MUHC who had surgery from February 2001 to March 2004 are affected. Hotline staff will be able to confirm whether patients are affected by this advisory. A special clinic has been set up to test these patients and hotline staff will make appointments for their tests.

An acetabular reamer system is used during hip replacement surgery. The surgeon uses this instrument to remove any arthritic bone and cartilage from the hip socket. The particular reamer system in question is not used for all hip arthroplasty surgeries at the MUHC.

Previously, the MGH had been washing and sterilizing this instrument as a complete unit. This method of preparation may not be optimal, and disassembling the instrument may be more effective. Since March 2004, the MGH has been disassembling this instrument for washing and sterilizing.

The risk of infection from this instrument is minimal.

The hotline number is 934-8097 and calls will be answered from 8 to 4, Monday through Friday.