Acetabular revision surgery with impacted bone allografts and cemented cups in patients younger than 55 years

This article summarises a clinical and radiographical analysis of 30 acetabular revisions in patients younger than 55 years old, performed with impaction bone grafting and cemented cups. Preoperative Merle D’Aubigne and Postel functional score was an average 7 points. At a mean follow-up of 86.5 months (range 34–228) functional score averaged 16.3 points. Radiolucent lines with no clinical impact were observed in 7% of DeLee and Charnley acetabular zones evaluated. Massive radiological migration, consistent with clinical failure, was observed in two cups. Three patients underwent re-revision surgery (10%): two due to infection and one due to mechanical failure. Reconstruction survival rate was 89% (CI 95% 71.9–96.4) overall, and 96% (CI 95% 82.6–99.3) ruling out cases of infection. Impacted bone allograft constitutes one of the reconstructive techniques of choice in acetabular revision surgery of young patients. Restoration of bone stock is essential in this group of patients due to the possibility of future revisions.