Functional and Survival Outcomes of Patients following the Harrington Procedure for Complex Acetabular Metastatic Lesions

Background: The Harrington surgical technique makes it possible to manage complex, extensive bone lesions using pins and cement to consolidate bone for acetabular cup positioning. However, it may be associated with a high reoperation rate, and the functional results of this surgery are not precisely described in the literature. Methods: In a monocentric retrospective study including all patients operated on using the Harrington procedure associated with THA between 2005 and 2020, we aimed to assess preoperative and postoperative function, reoperation-free survival, and overall survival. Results: Functional improvement was significant for Parker scores (preoperative: 3.6 +/- 2.0; 6-month follow-up: 6.6 +/- 3.2; 12-month follow-up: 7.6 +/- 2.1) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores (preoperative: 31.1 +/- 16.2%; 6-month follow-up: 67.7 +/- 30.6%; 12-month follow-up: 82.4 +/- 24.0%). Of the 21 patients included, the reoperation-free survival rate was 76.1% [CI 95%: 58.1-99.7] at six and twelve months, with the main complications being pin migration (50.0%) and infection (25%). The patient overall survival rate was 76.2% [95% CI: 59.9-96.7] at six months and 61.9% [95% CI: 59.9-96.7] at 12 months. Discussion: These results underlined significant functional improvements following a conventional Harrington procedure, with acceptable reoperation rates.