Use of porous tantalum components in Paprosky two and three acetabular revision. A minimum five-year follow-up of fifty one hips.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have reported short-term favourable results of tantalum-made components in acetabular revisions with bone loss. However, there is a lack of information regarding the mid to long-term results of such components.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyse the outcome and survivorship of acetabular revision hip arthroplasty using tantalum components for loosening associated with bone loss at a minimum of five-year follow-up.
METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 51 consecutive patients (51 hips) who had an acetabular revision using porous tantalum components at a minimum follow-up of five years. The mean age was 64 years (range, 31-87). There were 27 males and 24 females, 47 right hips and four left hips. Twenty-five (49 %) included a femoral revision. According to Paprosky's classification 18 hips were classified type 2A, 11 type 2B, ten type 2C, seven type 3A and five type 3B. No bone grafting was performed. Sixteen hips (31.3 %) required the use of additional tantalum-made augments stabilized by screws and cement at the cup-augment interface.
RESULTS: At a mean followup of 6.8 years (range, 5.1-10 years), the Harris hip score improved from 44 pre- operatively (range, 23-72) to 84 post-operatively (range, 33-98). The mean post-operative hip centre position in relation to the teardrop was 29 mm (range, 20-43 mm) horizontally and 21 mm (range, 8-36 mm) vertically. The mean acetabular inclination was 42° (range, 17-60°). Six hips (11.7 %) required a re-operation without component revision (two for chronic instability, one ossification removal, one haematoma, one deep infection and one periprosthetic femoral fracture). One patient required a cup re-revision for septic loosening. No aseptic loosening occurred. At last followup the radiological analysis showed one evolutive osteolysis and one screw breakage. The global survivorship was 92.3 % at 64 months. If only aseptic loosening was defined as the end-point the survivorship was 100 % at 64 months.
CONCLUSIONS: When facing an acetabular revision with severe bone loss, tantalum-made components can provide a stable fixation. This study at a minimum five-year follow-up compares favourably with other reconstruction techniques, but longer follow-up is still required.