Bipolar components for severe periacetabular bone loss around the failed total hip arthroplasty

Twenty-seven patients had revision of a failed total hip arthroplasty using a bipolar component to replace the acetabulum. The procedure was done when periacetabular bone loss precluded stable fixation of the revision component to bone. In addition, three of the operations were done for recurrent dislocation in patients with severe medical problems. Significant component migration occurred in one case, and one patient required reoperation for dislocation in the early postoperative period. Functional results in these 27 patients were quite satisfactory; bone grafts reliably became consolidated to the host pelvis.