[Acetabular reconstruction using acetabular reinforcement rings]

Reviewing the literature the revision arthroplasty of the hip joint with acetabular reinforcement rings shows good results concerning a follow-up period of six years in comparison with cemented or non-cemented primary implants. We use different acetabular reinforcement rings with differentiated indications. The primary assignment is the secure fixation of the ring to the vital bone. The acetabular bone defect is filled with autogenous or homogeneous bone grafts. The increasing number of massive acetabular defects made us develop a new acetabular reinforcement ring. It allows a better fixation than the Burch-Schneider Ring and is cheaper than the individual acetabular implant. Since 1988 we performed 262 revision arthroplasty with acetabular reinforcement rings. Until 1996 we evaluated 174 reinforcement rings (41 Müller rings, 72 Ganz rings, 41 Burch-Schneider rings, 6 RS or RSH ring, 5 individual acetabular implants). After an average follow-up period of 5.6 years a radiological or clinical loosening of the acetabular component occurred in only 6 patients (3.4%). To reach a better comparison of the surgical results we developed a score, which differentiate checks the operative goals. On plane pelvic radiographs we checked the reconstruction of the rotation center, the demarcation of the acetabular component and the outcome of the bone transplant.