Acetabular revision with a bipolar prosthesis.

Abstract

In using bipolar prostheses for selected acetabular revision two groups were identified, those with an intact ring with thin flexible walls and those requiring massive allografting. In the intact ring group (15 cases), the largest possible bipolar head was used with minimal grafting. These have uniformly been trouble-free with acetabular reconstitution with minimal to no migration. In the massive allograft group (22 cases), the results have not been so spectacular, with only 55% good or excellent results. This is not necessarily a function of the acetabulum, since many of the femurs in this group also required allografting. No major migration has occurred, but the follow-up period is less than three years, and some migration is probably to be anticipated. It is concluded that, in these two situations, use of a bipolar prosthesis is a simple technique for dealing, at least in the short term, with a very difficult problem.