Long-term results of combined porous tantalum augments and titanium-coated cups for Paprosky type III bone defects in acetabular revision

Purpose The use of porous tantalum augments and titanium-coated cups in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with acetabular defects has shown satisfactory outcomes in our centre. The aim of this study was to report the long-term radiological and clinical outcomes of using this combination for Paprosky type III acetabular bone defects in acetabular revision. Patients and methods Between January 2007 and January 2015, 45 patients with Paprosky type III acetabular defects underwent acetabular revision using a combination of porous tantalum augments and titanium-coated cups. Among these, 41 patients (41 hips) had complete follow-up. Thirty-one patients had a Paprosky type IIIA defect, and ten patients had a Paprosky type IIIB defect. No patients had pelvic discontinuity. There were 20 males and 21 females with an average age of 63.2 years (range 35-80) at the time of revision surgery. Results The mean follow-up was 122.8 months (range 69-165). The Harris Hip Score (HHS) improved significantly from 32.1 points (range 17-58) pre-operatively to 85.3 points (63-98) at the last follow-up. The Short Form-12 (SF-12) and Hip Dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) improved significantly for each item at the last follow-up. Two patients had a high hip centre post-operatively. One patient had recurrent dislocation but did not require re-revision. No further revision of the acetabular components was required, and all hips remained stable at the last follow-up with bony ingrowth of the acetabular components according to the criteria of Moore et al. Conclusion The combination of tantalum augments and conventional titanium-coated cups achieved satisfactory long-term radiographic and clinical outcomes for Paprosky type III acetabular bone defects without pelvic discontinuity.