Impaction grafting is controversial in the presence of segmental and cavitary acetabular defects and requires the use of supplemental
devices to close segmental defects. This approach, however, would allow treating combined deficiencies that could not be managed
with impacted cancellous bone alone. We raised the following two questions: (1) What is the survival rate in patients with
combined deficiencies reconstructed with metal mesh, impaction grafting and a cemented cup and (2) can metal mesh prevent
cup migration? We evaluated 23 cavitary uncontained acetabular defects in revision hip arthroplasty. Preoperative diagnoses
were aseptic loosening (19 hips) and second-stage reimplantations after resection for infection (four hips). The preoperative
Merle D’Aubigné-Postel score averaged 7.4 points. Two patients had reoperations for mechanical failure at 6 and 24 months.
The survival rate with further revision as an end point was 90.8% at an average of 36 months (range, 24–56 months; 95% confidence
interval, 68.1–97.6). Metal mesh did not prevent cup migration: migration occurred in all patients, averaging 5.1 mm (range,
2–25 mm). Another three patients with severe combined defects had asymptomatic mesh rupture with 3- to 15-mm migration. Postoperative
functional score averaged 16.2 points. Metal mesh, impaction grafting, and a cemented cup should be considered for reconstruction
of medium uncontained acetabular defects, but not for severe combined deficiencies.
Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Each author certifies that he has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing
arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.
Each author certifies that his institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation and that all investigations
were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.