Acetabular revision in patients with bone deficiency is often difficult because of the poor quality and quantity of the acetabular bone stock. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the midterm clinical and radiographic outcomes of acetabular revision with use of an impaction bone-grafting technique and a cemented polyethylene cup.

Results: thirty consecutive acetabular revisions were performed with impaction bone-grafting and use of a cemented cup in twenty-eight patients with bone deficiency. The average age at the revision was sixty-eight years. The minimum duration of follow-up of all reconstructions that were still functioning or that were followed until the time of death was three years (mean, 8.1 years; range, three to fifteen years). The acetabular bone defects were classified as cavitary in fifteen hips and as combined segmental-cavitary in fifteen hips according to AAOS classification.

One hip had a repeat revision. Radiographic analysis that had not been revised showed loosening in four hips. All these four hips were treated by bulk bone graft covering more than 50% of cups. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a prosthetic survival rate, with aseptic loosening as the end point, of 72% at fourteen years and, with revision as the endpoint, of 100% at ten years and 83% at fourteen years.

Impaction bone-grafting was an excellent option to manage acetabular revision surgery. However, excessive bulk bonegraft should not be used.