A 2- to 16-Year Clinical Follow-Up of Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a New Acetabular Implant Combined With Impacted Bone Allografts and a Cemented Cup

Background

Treatment of acetabular bone loss with impaction bone grafting (IBG) at revision total hip arthroplasty is highly dependent on mechanical stability and graft compression for clinical success. Here, we describe a new technique to further compress and stabilize the acetabular graft bed with a thin, perforated titanium shell.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 170 cases of acetabular revision arthroplasty 7 years (standard deviation 2.8) after IBG combined with a graft-compressing titanium shell implant. The patients were reviewed by clinical score and radiography. Three patients were lost to follow-up. The medical journals of the 33 deceased cases were reviewed for any reoperation. Of the 170 cases, 74 had a cavitary acetabular bone defect, 93 had combined segmental and cavitary bone defects, and 3 had a pelvic dissociation. Bone graft incorporation was assessed and correction of the hip center of rotation was calculated.

Results

Five cases (3%) were reoperated for mechanical loosening. One more was assessed as loose but asymptomatic and was not planned for revision. There were 3 reoperations for recurrent dislocation, 2 for deep infection and 1 for technical error. Reoperation for any reason, as the end point of survivorship, showed a survival rate of 92% after 10 years. Hip score according to Merle, d'Aubigne, and Postel increased from 10.8 (preoperatively) to 16.4 at follow-up. The clinical and radiological results were excellent.

Conclusion

IBG combined with the compressing shell results in excellent results for this challenging condition.