Does the interface between individual 3D acetabular implants and host bone influence the functional outcomes in patients with severe bone loss after revision surgery?

Introduction: There is a wide range of commercially produced revision implants for adequate reconstruction of acetabular large bone defects today, however, it is not always possible to achieve long-term survival of these implants. There is an increasing number of scientific publications concerning the use of custom-designed 3D components, which make it possible not only to achieve stable fixation and connect the pelvic bones but also to restore hip joint biomechanics.

Objectives: To evaluate the positioning of 3D acetabular implants after revision hip arthroplasty and its impact on clinical and functional outcomes.

Methods: we analyzed results in 48 patients with bone defect types IIIA and IIIB Paprosky types, after revision hip arthroplasty. A prospective study was conducted from 2017 to 2023. Revision arthroplasty due to aseptic loosening of the components was performed in 30 cases and as a second stage of periprosthetic infection treatment in 18 cases.

Results: We did not achieve a statistically significant difference when using additional flanges and clinical and functional results. In 2 cases we faced aseptic loosening in patients using flanges. In no case were we able to install an implant with 100% adherence to porous structure compared to preoperatively planned adherence. According to the WOMAC and VAS scales, increasing the contact area of the components showed a slight statistical difference in the improvement of clinical and functional results and the reduction of pain.

Conclusions: When acetabular 3D components adhered to the bone by more than 68%, we did not register a single complication in the postoperative period, and acetabular 3D components adhered to the bone by less than 68%, a total of 8 (16.6%) complications were registered.