Abstract
Several stems have been used for revision of total hip replacement (THR). Moreover, management of proximal femoral bone loss at the time of revision THR remains one of the challenges for hip surgeons. Recently, impaction bone grafting has been suggested to resolve this problem, but it is a demanding technique that results in frequent complications.
We have used the Wagner self-locking stem with cancellous chip allograft for reconstruction of proximal femoral bone defect during revision surgery since 1992.
This study evaluated the midterm results of using Wagner revision stem with bone allograft for femoral revision of THR. We could evaluate forty-one femoral revisions performed between 1992 and 2005 using Wagner revision stem with bone allograft.
All patients had been followed for a minimum of three years with a mean follow-up of 8.6 years. Preoperative radiological femoral bone defects were assessed and classified by Gustillo’s classification. Subsidence of the stem was measured on radiograms taken immediately after revision surgery and again at the latest follow-up. Femoral component fixation was graded as radiographic ingrowth, fibrous stable, or unstable according to the criteria described by Engh et al. The incidence of surgical complications was examined. Allografts were assessed for incorporation into host bone as evidenced by trabecular bridging of the host-graft interface. A clear reduction in density or breakdown of the allograft was defined as bone resorption. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed. The end point was revision because of mechanical loosening of the stem.
Bone defects were classified as: 10 hips type I, 20 hips type II, and 7 hips type III and 4 hips were a periprosthetic fracture. Subsidence was measured at the time of last follow-up in six hips (3, 3, 12, 16, 21, 30 mm). At the latest follow-up 37 of 41 stems were stable. Allograft incorporation could clearly be observed in the proximal femoral bone defects of 31 stems. Three stems were defined as showing bone resorption. Surgical complications included 11 intraoperative fractures, two femoral shafts were perforated during reaming, one dislocation postoperatively, and 3 greater trochanter pseudoarthroses. There was one deep infection, and these cases were excluded from survivorship analysis. One unstable stem and one stem with infection had to be revised. Kaplan-Meier survival was 97.1 % at 10 years.
Wagner self-locking stem with allograft for reconstruction for proximal femoral bone defect in revision surgery is a beneficial procedure. However, because there is a high incidence of intraoperative fractures, surgery should be performed carefully.
Correspondence should be addressed to Diane Przepiorski at ISTA, PO Box 6564, Auburn, CA 95604, USA. Phone: +1 916-454-9884; Fax: +1 916-454-9882; E-mail: ista@pacbell.net
