The Effectiveness of the Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage for acetabular bone deficiency: five to twenty-one years' follow-up.

From 1985 to 2001, the Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage (B-S APC) was implanted in 57 cases (55 patients) with massive acetabular deficiency. The B-S APC survived until the last review 5 to 21 years after operation in 89.5% of the cases, produced substantial pain relief, and increased range of hip motion and walking capacity. The 10.5% failure rate was due to aseptic loosening in 2 cases and mechanical failure in 4 cases. It appears that application of the B-S APC in extensive acetabular deficiency presents a durable solution provided that proper indications and technique are used.