Acetabular reconstruction in total hip revision using a bone graft substitute. Early clinical and radiographic results.

Thirty revisions were performed on loose total hip replacements with a specific acetabular reconstruction technique combining the use of a bovine bone substitute and a support ring. One patient died of a cause unrelated to the procedure. No migration of the acetabular implant or bone lysis of the heterograft was seen in 27 cases after 3 years. Radiologically, the heterograft gradually condensed, and its appearance matched that observed with an allograft. The 2 failures with implant migration and heterograft lysis were interpreted as technical errors related to the use of the Müller ring. In both cases the Müller ring was supported by the cancellous heterograft and not by the host bone.