Acetabular roof reconstruction with pedicled iliac graft

Reconstruction of the acetabular roof in patients with hip dysplasia shows disappointing mid-term results due to insufficient incorporation and collapse of the bone graft. We have developed a new reconstructive method using a pedicled iliac graft. We simulated surgical reconstruction of the acetabular roof in ten cadaver specimens. The purpose was to evaluate whether the deep circumflex artery was long enough to allow transfer of the graft without requiring micro-vascular anastomosis. In all cadavers, the length of the pedicle was sufficient to reach any desired position of the acetabular roof. The use of such a pedicled structural graft may provide good primary stability and allow local bony remodelling and incorporation under load.