Inverted reamer technique for bone grafting of the acetabulum: technical note

Socket fixation with bone grafting for dysplastic hips is technically demanding, and inadequate coverage of the socket may cause poor results in patients with severely dysplastic hips. An accurate technique to form a bone graft to fit into the defect is necessary. We aim to introduce the simple method of bone grafting, "inverted reamer technique" in cemented total hip arthroplasty (cTHA).

After acetabular preparation with a normal acetabular reamer, the bone graft was prepared from the resected femoral head with the inverted reamer. The graft can be press-fit into the defect of the acetabulum with good compatibility through this method. Then, the bone graft was fixed with 1-3 screws and the socket was implanted with bone cement.

The "inverted reamer technique" can easily and automatically create a well-fit graft. This method is simple and technically less demanding; it can be performed by every surgeon, including trainee and inexperienced surgeons.

This method can improve the outcome of cTHA for dysplastic hips by preserving bone stock and increasing bone coverage of the socket implanted in the anatomic position.