Abstract
Background
Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a challenging scenario following complex primary THA for developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH). This study envisages the long-term outcomes of revision DDH and the role of lateral structural support in socket fixation in these young patients who may require multiple revisions in their life-time.
Materials and methods
Hundred and eighteen consecutive cemented revision THAs with minimum follow up of 5 years following primary diagnosis of DDH operated by a single unit between January 1974 and December 2012 were analysed for their clinical and radiological outcomes.
Results
The mean follow-up of 118 patients was 11.0 years (5.1–39.6 years). At 11 years, the cumulative survivorship with revision as the endpoint was 89.8%. Amongst the 88 acetabular revisions for aseptic loosening, 21 had pre-existing autologous lateral structural bone graft from the primary THA (group A). Only 3 (14%) of them required lateral structural re-grafting using allograft at revision. With the remaining 18 hips, the lateral support from the previous graft facilitated revision with no requirement of additional structural graft. Sixty-seven hips did not have lateral structural autograft during primary operation (group B). Amongst them, 18 (27%) required lateral structural allograft in revision surgery.
Discussion
There is paucity of evidence regarding long-term results following revision THAs in patients with DDH. Nearly double the number of patients with no previous acetabular structural bone graft needed structural allograft during revision in comparison to those patients with autologous structural bone grafting done at primary operation. The lateral structural autograft used at primary arthroplasty seems to provide invaluable bone stock for future revisions.
Conclusion
This study reports the largest number of revision THAs with primary diagnosis of DDH with the longest follow up. In our experience, the lateral support from the structural graft done in primary operation appears to have provided benefit in subsequent revision socket fixation.
