• BACKGROUND
    • Nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), selective NSAIDs, and radiation are widely used for the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Previous studies have suggested that nonselective NSAIDs, selective NSAIDs and radiation can prevent HO after THA, though the results are conflicting. In this network meta-analysis, we aimed to comprehensively analyze the efficacy and safety of three strategies for preventing HO after THA compared to a placebo.
  • PATIENTS AND METHODS
    • Relevant studies about nonselective NSAIDs, selective NSAIDs, radiation and controls that were used to prevent HO after THA were collected. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. Network meta-analysis was applied to assess treatment efficacy and safety. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) method was used to assess which treatment was ranked the highest. The node-splitting method was used to calculate inconsistency.
  • RESULTS
    • Radiation was found to be the most efficient option for preventing overall incidence of HO and Brooker IV, I, II and III HO after THA. Selective NSAIDs were the safest option, and radiation was ranked second for preventing HO after THA, as the treatments were ranked taking discontinuation caused by nongastrointestinal side effects (DNGSE) and the incidence of complications into consideration.
  • CONCLUSIONS
    • A network meta-analysis concluded that radiation is the most efficacious method for preventing HO after THA.