Squeaking in fourth-generation ceramic-on-ceramic total hip replacement and the relationship with prosthesis brands: meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND: Postoperative squeaking in patients who applied the fourth-generation ceramic bearing in primary hip replacement has not been reported systematically; we aim to study the squeaking incidence in the fourth-generation ceramic bearing and related risk factors for squeaking, and we also attempt to explore the relationship between squeaking and prosthetic brands. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library were searched, and 14 articles were finally included. Patients’ demographic data, surgical-related information, and prosthesis data were extracted. The occurrence rate of squeaking was calculated by meta-analysis, and subgroup analysis was performed based on prosthetic brands and follow-up time. Regression analysis was further applied to investigate the relationship between various risk factors and squeaking. RESULTS: The squeaking incidence in patients with the fourth-generation ceramic bearing was 3%. Age, gender, body mass index, and abduction and anteversion angles of acetabular cup might have no influence on squeaking. The squeaking incidence was significantly high with the presence of Delta Motion cup (DePuy, Warsaw, Indiana) and Secure-Fit stem (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI), and the overall incidence of DePuy femoral stem was relatively small except for the Summit femoral stem. And there was no significant difference of squeaking incidence between less than 5-year and more than or equal to 5-year follow-up subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, squeaking in the fourth-generation ceramic bearing occurred at a rate of 3%; occurrence rate was high when the Delta Motion cup was applied. We hope for more relevant researches to focus on this issue. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13018-018-0841-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.