RECONSTRUCTION OF MASSIVE BONE LOSS DUE TO PERIPROSTHETIC INFECTION USING PROXIMAL FEMORAL ALLOGRAFT-PROSTHESIS COMPOSITES (APC)

Aim: The purpose of our study is to present the survival results, clinical outcome and complications from the use of APC in cases with a history of periprosthetic infection. Materials and Methods: Between 1986 and 1999, twenty-two patients (twenty-two hips) 11 male and 11 female (mean age 57.5 years – range 38 to 77 years) with massive bone loss (Paprosky IIIA 2 cases, IIIB 4 cases, and IV 16 cases) were included to our study. They all had a history of periprosthetic infection after an average of 3.3 (range 1 to 5) revision hip arthroplasties and were submitted to a two stage revision arthroplasty using an allograft-prosthesis composite. Results: At an average follow-up of eleven years (range, eight to twenty years), 14 patients were alive, 7 patients died, and 1 patient was lost to follow-up. The ten year survival of the allograft-prosthesis composites was 74.9 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval 55.1 to 94.7 per cent, 4 cases remaining at risk). Seven cases presented with APC failure needing re-revision, 2 due to re-infection (4 and 23 months from revision by the same microorganism species as for the initial infection (Staph aureus to both cases), 3 due to allograft non union (at 21, 43, 79 months) and 2 cases due to graft resorption (164, 175 months post revision). Delayed healing and wound drainage occurred to 2 more cases. Conclusion: Reconstruction of massive proximal femoral bone loss with an allograft-implant composite is a demanding procedure. Biologic means of reconstruction is a major advantage preserving bone stock for future surgery. However, high complication rate should be considered.