Acetabular Reconstruction with Massive Allograft Shaped to the Cavity and Kerboull-Type Acetabular Reinforcement Device for Multiple Failures of Impaction Bone Graft: A Case Report ()
1. Introduction
One of the most difficult problems during acetabular reconstruction is the management of a large bone defect. An appropriate bone graft with augmentation is required for secure reconstruction. Several techniques are used to manage such a defect, including placement of a jumbo cup [1] , specialized roof and reconstruction rings [2] , modular porous metal augmentation [3] , or bulk or morselized cancellous bone grafts [4] [5] . A combination of these methods may also be considered. The use of morselized cancellous bone graft and a cementless porous coated acetabular component is also a well-established acetabular revision surgical technique in the presence of bone deficiency [6] [7] . These options are often inadequate, however, when the acetabular bone loss is great. Here, we report a patient with a difficult revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) who had cup migration and an acetabular large bone defect after several cup revisions performed with an impaction bone grafting (IBG) technique. We finally performed a successful reconstruction with a massive allograft and a Kerboull-type acetabular reinforcement device.
2. Case Report
An 81-year-old man with a body mass index of 27.6 kg/m2 had undergone left THA for osteoarthritis of his left hip joint in 1998 (Figure 1(a)) by the posterior approach at another hospital. Seven years later, cup revision with a Ganz reinforcement ring and artificial bone was performed for aseptic loosening (Figure 1(b)). Nine years after the cup revision, he complained of left hip pain. Plain radiography showed that the Ganz reinforcement ring had dislocated (Figure 1(c)). Cup re-revision with rim mesh from superolateral to posterior of the acetabulum and IBG were performed (Figure 1(d)). The cup dislocated again within a few months (Figure 1(e)), and a third cup revision with IBG and mesh was performed (Figure 1(f)). The cup shortly dislocated again (Figure 2(a)), and the patient was referred to our hospital. At the first visit to our hospital, computed tomography (CT) revealed an American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) type III acetabular defect (Figure 2(b), Figure 2(c)) [8] . Laboratory tests showed the following: white blood cell count 8900/µL, C-reactive protein 1.4 mg/dL, and joint fluid culture negative for infection. Bone scintigraphy, early phase, did not show significant uptake of 99 mTc-hydroxymethylene diphosphonate. Because it was possible that we would have to exfoliate and reconstruct the posterior supporting tissue, preoperative left internal iliac arterial branch embolization was performed to control bleeding. Acetabular reconstruction was then implemented with an allograft and the Kerboull-type acetabular reinforcement device (K-MAX KT plate S®, 48-15-15; Kyocera Medical, Kyoto, Japan) (Figure 3(a), Figure 3(b)). To avoid nerve palsy, the operation was done under monitoring with muscle evoked potentials after electric stimulation of the brain [Br(E)-MsEP].
The posterior approach was adapted to view the acetabular components under the general anesthesia. First, we placed a bowl-shaped femoral head allograft into the floor of the acetabulum, followed by other trimmed allografts at the anterior and posterior walls and superior of the floor of the acetabulum. The shape of the composed allograft was like that of a jet-type helmet from three femoral head allografts (Figure 4). The anterior, posterior, and superior allografts were fixed using absorbable screws. The K-MAX KT plate S® 48-15-15 and EXETER X3Rimfit cup (size 48 - 32; Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) were set using antibiotic-loaded acrylic cement, which was composed of 0.6 g amikacin and 1.5 g vancomycin per 40 g cement. We carefully hooked the KT plate onto the obturator foramen and set three metal screws via the palette of the KT plate. There was no nerve palsyafter surgery and no significant change in the Br(E)-MsEP amplitude during any of the intraoperative periods, although the leg lengthening was 1.5 cm. There was also no neutrophil invasion to the tissues during the intraoperative rapid pathological diagnosis. Tricortical fixation of three metal screws was confirmed on the postoperative CT scan (Figure 3(c)). There was no
Figure 1. Radiographs, pelvic anteroposterior (AP) view. (a) Primary total hip arthroplasty. (b) First cup revision for aseptic loosening (7 years after a). (c) Ganz reinforcement ring dislocation (9 years after b). (d) Second cup with rim mesh impaction bone grafting (IBG). (e) Third cup dislocation (a few months after d). (f) Final IBG cup revision.
Figure 2. Imaging findings at the first visit to our hospital. (a) Radiography, pelvic AP view, at the first visit. (b) Computed tomography (CT) scan of the left hip at the first visit. (c) Three-dimensional CT findings.
Figure 3. Postoperative findings. (a) Radiography, pelvic AP view. (b) Radiography, lateral view of the left hip. (c) Postoperative CT scan.
Figure 4. Jet-type helmet-like allograft that we created.
allergic reaction of allograft bone after the surgery. The Harris hip score was 81 at the final follow-up, which was an improvement from the score of 15 prior to the surgery.
In addition, although the intraoperative rapid pathological diagnosis was negative for infection, we infused daptomycin and minocycline for 4 weeks following the operation because of the possibility of low-grade infection. He remained at bed rest for 2 weeks postoperatively and then was permitted full weight bearing at 6 weeks. As he had experienced a posterior dislocation on postoperative day 40, he was discharged from the hospital wearing a hip protector. Although an incorporation of grafted bone is incomplete at 1 year after the operation, he walks without any brace or cane, and no other dislocation has occurred.
3. Discussion
In this case, the patient had AAOS type III acetabular bone defect, although radiological assessment of bone defect is difficult after IBG with cement acetabular revision. Prior to his being referred to our hospital, he had undergone IBG acetabular revision twice within a short span of time. The use of IBG is widely accepted because it works like living bone and provides good implant stability and function [9] . Several studies reported good long-term or mid-term clinical results of acetabular revision with the IBG technique [10] [11] . It has been suggested, however, that IBG is not good indication for severe bone defects of the acetabulum. Iwase et al. showed that acetabular IBG reconstruction was indicated in cases in which the maximum acetabular defect distance was within 20 mm and the problem was a simple wall defect [12] . They suggested using a reinforcement ring or a cage with bulk allograft [13] [14] or porous trabecular metal auguments [6] [7] with IBG for cases with >20 mm maximum acetabular defect distance combined with multiple segmental wall defects [12] . Van Haaren et al. also reported a high failure rate of IBG for large acetabular defects such as an AAOS type III or IV bone defect [15] .
The main causes of the present patient’s IBG collapse could be as follows: 1) A large defect was treated with only IBG and rim mesh. 2) The acetabular floor was fragile because artificial bone was used. 3) There might have been a low-grade infection. Hence, we used massive bulk allografts casted like a jet-type helmet and a Kerboull-type acetabular reinforcement device. Using bulk allograft is recommended for large acetabular defects [12] [16] . This method was developed for long-term storage of bacteriologically safe and biologically suitable bone grafts [17] [18] . Advantages of the allograft are that there is no limitation to its size or shape, and there is no donor site morbidity. Moreover, the Kerboull-type acetabular reinforcement device is able to provide the hip with an appropriate center of rotation and is often used with bulk grafts for large acetabular bone defects because of satisfactory mid-term results following revision THA [14] [19] . In this case, we reconstructed the acetabulum with KT plate and three femoral head allografts, which were shaped like jet-type helmet. Although the follow up period is short, he can walk without any brace or cane now, so the degree of his satisfaction is high.
4. Conclusion
In this case, the patient is making satisfactory progress with the uniquely shaped bulk allograft compensating for the large bone defect. Although we will check him frequently over a long period, this case represents a good result during the short-term period.
Consent
The authors obtained consent for the publication from the patient and family.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.