Bone integration in acetabular revision hip arthroplasty using equine-derived bone grafts: a retrospective study

During the last decade, total hip arthroplasty has become a common procedure performed in young patients, as well as elderly ones. This has led to an increase in total hip arthroplasty revisions. Loosening of primary components with associated bone loss represents the major cause of total hip arthroplasty revision. This study evaluates the safety and performance of an enzyme-deantigenic equine-derived bone graft material in acetabular defect reconstruction.

Records of 55 patients who were treated for Paprosky type II or III acetabular bone defects with arthroplasty revisions using equine-derived bone and followed for an average of 34 months (range from 24 to 48 months) were analyzed.

Of the 55 revisions, 49 (89%) were regarded as successful, showing good osteointegration without signs of mobilization. Failures included six cases (11%) of mobilization: five cases of aseptic mobilization (9.1% of revisions, 83% of failures) and one case of septic mobilization (1.9% of revisions, 17% of failures). These results are consistent with those of studies having a similar follow-up period for allografts used in combination with trabecular metal components.

Results of the present study suggest that enzyme-treated equine-derived bone grafts may be a valid alternative to autogenous and homologous bone grafts in total hip arthroplasty revision.