‘Hybrid’ spacers in two-stage total hip arthroplasty revision: surgical technique, clinical and radiographic outcomes

Background

Acute periprosthetic joint infections may be managed with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention, while chronic cases require one- or two-stage revision. Functional spacers allow for joint motion, better functionality and easier reimplantation, but could be associated with acetabular bone wear, higher dislocation risk and abrasion-induced cement particles. A new technique utilizing an antibiotics-loaded cement-based femoral hemispacer articulating with a cemented dual mobility acetabular cup was described.

Materials and methods

This monocentric retrospective study analyzed a consecutive series of patients who underwent two-stage revision total hip arthroplasty with "hybrid" spacers for a periprosthetic joint infection in accordance with the 2014 MSIS criteria. Preoperative templating was carried out to achieve intraoperatively hip biomechanics reconstruction. Surgical procedure involved placement of a proximally cemented antibiotics-loaded hemispacer and a cemented dual mobility cup to reproduce native hip center of rotation and combined anteversion with the femoral component. Immediate postoperative toe-touch weightbearing and range of motion was allowed for every patient, except for cases where significant femoral bone loss was present.

Results

No intraoperative complications were observed during the first-stage. Fourteen out of the 15 patients (93.3%) underwent the second stage. Only one case of posterior dislocation (6.7%) was observed. No cases of cement migration or acetabular wear and bone defect progression were reported. No case of cup loosening was observed. No hemispacer fracture or loosening was observed. One case of perispacer transverse femoral fracture (6.7%) was reported in a patient who did not follow toe-touch weightbearing indication. Second stage hemispacer removal was carried out in all the patients via endofemoral approach: no intraoperative complications were observed. Explanted spacer and cup sonication was negative in all the cases, except for the only patient who did not undergo the second stage that was found positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Discussion

Hybrid spacers allow for immediate weight-bearing and range of motion. Hybrid spacer technique allows for biomechanical reconstruction and lower dislocation risk even in case of significant acetabular defects, while avoiding acetabular wear and cement-on-cement articulating interface abrasion-induced cement particles.

Conclusion

Hybrid spacer technique is a safe and effective option for two-stage total hip arthroplasty revisions in periprosthetic joint infections.