ObjectiveTo study the perioperative treatment of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. MethodsThe clinical data of 27 patients with SLE and ANFH, who underwent 40 THAs between August 2009 and November 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 male and 22 female patients, and the average age of the patients at surgery was 40 years ranging from 21 to 66 years. Fourteen cases had unilateral THA and 13 had bilateral THA. The combined disease included 2 cases of hypertension, 3 chronic bronchitis, 1 autoimmune liver disease and hypohepatia, 2 sicca syndrome, and 2 anemia. ResultsAll the patients were stable peri-operatively. No patient had adrenal crisis. Four complications were noted, including one case of fever reaction (maximum temperature:39.3℃), 1 incision fat liquefaction, 1 pulmonary infection, and 1 early dislocation due to improper exercise on the 12th day after the operation. The patients were followed up for 24 to 53 months, and there was no deep infection, prosthetic loosening, peri-prosthetic fracture or deep vein thrombosis after THA. ConclusionAlthough the incidence of postoperative complication is high in patients with SLE and ANFH undergoing THA, meticulous perioperative management can help these patients get through operation safely, including the use of glucocorticoid and antibiotics, treatment of osteoporosis, and prevention and treatment of complications.