Isolated acetabular revision with modular trabecular titanium implants using tap-out tap-in technique of femoral...

To evaluate the role of isolated acetabular revision with modular trabecular titanium implants using simple extraction and reinsertion of femoral monoblock cemented stem (tap-out tap-in technique).

In the past years, we face the burden of revising hip arthroplasties in predominantly elderly population.

Single institution retrospective analysis of 17 hips in 16 patients with previous cemented total hip arthroplasty implanted between 1988 and 2007. These patients underwent isolated acetabular revision between 2010 and 2018 using modular acetabular Delta Trabecular Titanium (TT) system (Limacorporate S.p.a, Udine, Italy) with impaction bone grafting and reverse reamed allografts. Non-modular polished cemented stems (Poldi-Čech monoblock) were reinserted without additional cementing.

Out of the total cohort (17 hips), 14 hips showed no signs of loosening or graft resorption as well as no femoral loosening during the median follow‑up period of 5.1 (2 to 8.5 years). In one patient, fracture of cranial acetabular module occurred 4 months after the revision, one patient sustained two hip dislocations, and one patient developed deep infection resulting in permanent implant removal.

Isolated acetabular revision using modular trabecular titanium implant with reinsertion of the original non-modular monoblock cemented femoral stem is a safe and effective technique in adequately selected patients (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 30).