Revision of type III and type IVB acetabular defects with Burch-Schneider anti-Protrusio cages

Extensive bone loss in severe acetabular deficiencies can make repair with acetabular shells impossible. We retrospectively analyzed mid-term to long-term results of acetabular revision with Burch-Schneider reinforcement cages in 33 hips in patients with a mean age of 59.03years after a mean follow-up period of 6.19years. Under the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons classification, 9 patients had type III acetabular bone defects and 24 had type IVB. Merle D'Aubigné scores improved by a mean of 9.3 points. The prosthesis failure rate was 15.1%, the series complication rate was 21.2%, and the mean survivorship was 11.57years. The Burch-Schneider cage is useful for reconstruction in massive acetabular deficiency, but complication rates are high and long-term mechanical failure is a concern.