Previously unreported complication of trephine reamers in revision total hip arthroplasty

Trephine reamers have been used in revision total hip arthroplasty to facilitate the removal of femoral prostheses without creating additional osteotomy sites. These reamers are available in graduated sizes so as to minimize bone loss. We present a complication not previously reported in the literature. While performing the extraction of a well-fixed femoral prosthesis, the trephine reamer broke at its distal end, expanded, and created a cortical defect distal to the prosthesis.