Acetabular defect reconstruction in revision surgery of the hip. Autologous, homologous or metal?

The treatment of periprosthetic bone defects of the acetabulum is a therapeutic challenge in hip revision surgery. The aims are the biological reconstruction of osseous acetabular defects and the restoration of a load-bearing acetabular bone stock as well as restoring the physiological joint biomechanics and achieving primary and load-stable fixation of the revision graft in the vital pelvic bone. The biological reconstruction of the acetabular bone stock should include what is referred to as "down-grading" of the acetabular defect situation in case a repeat revision procedure becomes necessary. Nowadays, a large variety of grafts and reconstruction procedures are available for the reconstruction of acetabular defects. The choice of suitable materials (osseous or metallic) for the restoration of a load-bearing acetabular bone stock is currently the subject of controversial discussion. This article reviews the various options for the reconstruction of acetabular bone defects taking into consideration the current findings in the scientific literature.