Impaction bone grafting and a cemented cup after acetabular fracture

Purpose

Patients suffering from post traumatic osteoarthritis of the acetabulum often require a total hip arthroplasty at a relatively young age. Long-term data outcome studies for this population are lacking. We report on the long-term outcome of 20 acetabular fractures in 20 patients treated with impaction bone grafting and a cemented cup after a mean follow-up of 18 years (range, 12–26 years).

Methods

The group consisted of 14 males (70 %) and six females (30 %) with an average age of 53.3 years (range, 35–75 years) at time of surgery. No patients were lost to follow-up. Four patients died and three patients underwent a revision; at review 13 patients were still living with their implant in situ. Survivorship analysis was performed at 20 years follow-up for three endpoints.

Results

Survival rate with endpoint revision for any reason at 20 years postoperative was 74.7 % (95 % confidence interval (CI), 40–91 %), 80.0 % (95 % CI, 41–95 %) for endpoint aseptic loosening, and 63.9 % (95 % CI 32–84 %) for endpoint radiographic failure. Three acetabular components were revised at 14.5, 15.3, and 16.7 years postoperative. Two cups failed for aseptic loosening and one cup failed due to septic loosening. The average postoperative Harris hip score was 82 (range, 56–100).

Conclusion

Acetabular reconstruction with impaction bone grafting and the use of a cemented cup after acetabular fracture is an attractive technique with acceptable long-term results and a low complication and re-operation rate.