Abstract
BACKGROUND
Total hip revision surgery in cases with previous multiple reconstructive procedures is a challenging treatment due to difficulties in treatment huge bone defects with standard revision prosthetic combinations. A new specially made production system in Electron-Beam Melting (EBM) technology based on a precise analysis of patients' preoperative CT scans has been developed.
METHODS
Objectives of design customization in difficult cases are to correctly evaluate patient's anatomy, to plan a surgical procedure and to obtain an optimal fixation to a poor bone stock. The 3D Printing (EBM) technology permits to create an extremely flexible patient matching implant and instrument, with material performances not viable with standard manufacturing process. Dedicated visual 3D tools and instrumentations improve implants congruency according to preoperative plan. Primary stability is enhanced and tailored on patient's anatomy by means of press-fit, iliac stems and the high friction performances of Trabecular Titanium matrix. The use of bone screws and their position is designed to enhance primary stability, even in critical bone conditions, avoiding implant stress shielding and allowing bone integration. 4 cases (2 men and 2 women) of acetabular customized implants were performed. Mean age at surgery was 51.5 years (range 25–72). Patients were reviewed clinically and radiographically at follow-up.
RESULTS
No signs of miss-match between intraoperative bone conditions and pre-operative planning were observed. No additional bone grafts or further native bone removal were needed. Biomechanical parameters were restored by using internal modularity (i.e. face-changers / angled spacers). Face-changers allow to correct coverage and anteversion of the acetabular system. Incompatibility or impingement between the stems and new acetabular component was not observed and stem revision was performed in one case. On-table stability proved excellent and no intraoperative complications were observed. All patients underwent an immediate mobilization with full weight-bearing. Mean Harris Hip Score increased significantly from 13.9 (range 6.9–20.6) preoperatively to 75.8 (range 53.9–94) at last follow-up (mean 17.5, range: 10–33), showing an improvement in terms of both pain relief, function and joint mobility. Radiographically neither signs of instability, migration nor tilting were observed. No case of dislocation nor infection were recorded.
CONCLUSION
A detailed anatomical reconstruction, in-depth preoperative planning, custom-implant design, high performance of the 3D-printing technology, system modularity and patient-specific surgical tools permitted an effective restoration of the biomechanical joint parameters in these complex revision cases. The optimal primary stability of the implants promoted an early osseointegration with the remaining bone stock. Further studies shall be necessary to assess the performance of these Implants at long-term follow-up.
