Stepped osteotomy of femoral head autograft for acetabular reconstruction in total hip arthroplasty for dysplasia of the hip: 3 to 12 years’ results

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to describe a stepped osteotomy technique applied to the femoral head autograft to keep the graft volume at a sufficient level, provide primary stability, and direct cancellous-cancellous bone contact.

Patients and methods: In this retrospective study, 24 hips of 20 patients (5 males, 15 females; mean age 53 years; range, 43 to 68 years) with dysplasia of the hip (DDH) who underwent total hip arthroplasty with femoral head stepped osteotomy technique were evaluated between April 2003 and June 2010. Patients’ age, gender, operation side, and postoperative complications were recorded. Aseptic loosening of the acetabular cup and graft integration/resorption were evaluated radiographically. Radiological evaluations were performed according to the methods of DeLee and Charnley, and Mulroy and Harris. Functional status of the patients was determined according to the criteria of Merle d’Aubigné and Postel, and Harris hip score (HHS).

Results: The mean follow-up period was 5.5 years (range, 3 to 12 years). None of the patients had any complications in the early postoperative period. In all patients, the percentage of acetabular component coverage by the graft was measured as 27% (range, 19 to 38%) on average. At the last follow-up, all patients were satisfied with the result and there was no sign of clinically loosening, osteointegration was complete, and there was no radiographic evidence of graft resorption or collapse of any hip. The overall Merle d’Aubigné scores and HHSs of the patients significantly improved at the final follow-up.

Conclusion: This stepped osteotomy technique increases the probability of osteointegration, reduces the need for early revision, and provides reliable stability with satisfactory clinical and radiological midterm results.

Introduction

Surgeons may encounter many technical difficulties when performing total hip arthroplasty in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Locating the acetabular cup correctly and providing adequate coverage can be particularly difficult in these hips. Osteointegration becomes an important problem in hips in which the acetabular roof is applied to provide coverage.[1] Harris et al.[2] first described the bulk autogenous graft technique in 1977 to obtain superolateral bone coverage. While early- midterm results were promising, long-term outcomes were unclear. In Harris' series, 21% of patients had radiographic evidence of loosening within seven years, and the results of an average of 16 years showed a high incidence of acetabular failures due to component loosening and graft collapse.[3,4] Recently, bulk autografts with both cemented and uncemented implants have been used, and long-term positive results have been reported.[5-8]

Integration and stability of autografts are defined as the keys to success in this technique.[9] Due to the slow and inadequate osteointegration of bulk autografts, it has been shown to be less resistant to stresses under repetitive loadings.[10] The main factors affecting graft incorporation are graft stability and bone-graft contact.[2-9] In this study, we aimed to describe a stepped osteotomy technique applied to the femoral head autograft to keep the graft volume at a sufficient level, provide primary stability, and direct cancellous-cancellous bone contact.

Patients and Methods

In this retrospective study, 24 hips in 20 patients (5 males, 15 females; mean age 53 years; range, 43 to 68 years) with DDH who underwent total hip arthroplasty with femoral head stepped osteotomy technique were evaluated at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine between April 2003 and June 2010. Patients were classified radiologically according to the Crowe and Hartofilakidis classification system preoperatively. According to the Crowe classification, there were there, 18, and three type I, type II, and type III hips, respectively. According to the Hartofilakidis classification, there were eight and 16 type A and type B hips, respectively. The study protocol was approved by the Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee. A written informed consent was obtained from each patient. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Immediate postoperative radiographs were compared with recent radiographs of patients. Patients were followed-up with radiographs every six months. Radiological evaluation was performed by a senior surgeon and two blinded orthopedic surgeons. The inclination angle of the acetabular cup was assessed in relation to the Kohler line postoperatively. The coverage area of the acetabular cup was expressed as the percentage of the horizontal distance between the most medial point of the cup, and the most lateral edge (Figure 1). Graft integration was assessed by observing the disappearance of the graft-bone interface and the appearance of bridge trabeculae.[11]

Figure 1. Evaluation of acetabular roof graft. [A/(A+B)]x100: Percentage of acetabular component coverage by graft; [B/(A+B)]x100: Percentage of coverage of acetabular component.

The horizontal and vertical placement of the acetabular cup was measured as described by Russotti and Harris[12] graft resorption was assessed at each follow-up, and the acetabular cup-bone interface was evaluated according to the regions described by DeLee and Charnley.[13] Loosening of the acetabular cup was evaluated according to the criteria determined by Mulroy and Harris,[14] including displacement of more than 2 mm in the horizontal and/or vertical plane, a change of more than four degrees of inclination, or a radiolucent line of more than 1 mm.

The range of motion and walking ability of the patients were evaluated at the final follow-up. Pain and functional status of the patients were determined according to the criteria of Merle d’Aubigné and Postel, and Harris hip score (HHS).[15,16]

Regarding the surgical technique, a posterolateral incision was used in all patients in the lateral decubitus position. The transverse acetabular ligament or ligamentum teres (if present) were followed to find the true acetabulum. Retractors were placed around the true acetabulum so that it could be seen clearly. The reaming process was begun with the smallest acetabular reamers which fit to the size of the acetabulum of each patient, and the reamers were enlarged until there was subchondral bone bleeding. Since there is usually superolateral acetabular roof failure after this reaming process, the smallest volume of the graft was taken from the patients’ own femoral head and was prepared to cover the defect. A stepped osteotomy was performed on the graft. This stepped osteotomy was measured relative to the defective area on the acetabulum, and both the depth and size were adjusted to ensure proper contouring. We tried to describe this technique by creating an acetabular superolateral insufficiency on a pelvis model (Figure 2).

Figure 2. (a) Acetabular superolateral insufficiency model. (b) Taking measurements of autograft before stepped osteotomy. (c) Stepped osteotomy. (d) Compression of graft with two screws. (e) Reaming again with large acetabular reamers (graft is more compressed at this stage). (f) Acetabular cup is ready to be placed with adequate coverage.

Graft location was determined on the acetabular roof. All soft tissue, including osteophytes and capsule residues in this area, was removed, and bone was decorticated. After reaching the spongious bone, many holes were created by drilling through the spongious bone to supply enough bleeding. Subsequently, the graft was placed in the region prepared in the acetabulum roof. The stepped graft was compressed very tightly with one to three compressive screws. Then, the reaming process continued. It was checked that the stepped graft was more compressed during each reaming step. After adequate enlargement was achieved, acetabular cup trials were attempted by giving appropriate anteversion and abduction angle. After ensuring that the acetabular cup was adequately covered and tightened, the acetabular cup was placed and fixed with one to two screws directed to the ilium. At the last stage, the insert was placed in the acetabular cup (Figure 3). Cementless hydroxyapatite coated hip systems were used in all patients.

Figure 3. (a) Preoperative X-ray. (b) Condition of acetabulum after reaming with small reamers. (c) Blue circle shows acetabulum. Area where graft is to be placed (shown by yellow arrow) is ready, spongious bone is fully reached, and sufficient bleeding is provided with drilling. (d) Femoral head autograft prepared by stepped osteotomy is ready to be placed. (e) Compression of graft with screws and reaming process. (f) Acetabular cup and insert are placed. (g) Postoperative X-ray of patient.

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics are presented as the frequency, percent, mean ± standard deviation, median, minimum and maximum values. The compatibility of continuous variables for normal distribution was investigated using analytical methods (Kolmogorov- Smirnov/Shapiro-Wilk test). All statistical analyses were performed with IBM SPSS version 22.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

Results

The mean follow-up period was 5.5 years (range, 3 to 12 years). The left hip was operated in nine patients, right hip in seven patients, and bilateral hips in four patients (all females).

None of the patients had any complications such as wound hematomas, infections, or neuropraxias in the early postoperative period. In all patients, the percentage of acetabular component coverage by the graft was measured as 27% (range, 19 to 38%) on average (Table I). The percentage of coverage of the acetabular component ranged from 80 to 96%, with an average of 94%.

Table 1. Demographic characteristics of patients, follow-up periods and graft coverage ratios

Functional status of the 20 patients (24 hips) was evaluated at the final follow-up. The mean overall Merle d’Aubigné hip score improved from 2.89 (range, 1 to 6) preoperatively to 9.26 (range, 4 to 12) at final follow-up. Nineteen out of 24 hips had good and very good results. The mean walking ability score increased from a mean of 1.52 (range, 1 to 4) preoperatively to a mean of 4.52 (range, 3 to 6) postoperatively; the amount of pain decreased to 1.36 (range, 0 to 4) from 4.84 (range, 1 to 6) at the final follow-up. When examining the range of motion, the mean flexion range was 43° (range, 0° to 100°) preoperatively and 94° (range, 40° to 115°) at the final follow-up. Abduction increased from 14° (range, 5° to 36°) to 27° (range, 5° to 40°).

According to the HHS system, functional status of the patients was “poor” with a mean of 37 points (range, 22 to 46 points) preoperatively. At the final follow-up, it was “excellent” with a mean of 90 points (range, 65 to 95 points).

On follow-up radiographs, osteointegration was complete after a mean of one year (Figure 4). Cortical continuity between graft and ilium was achieved in all patients (Figure 5). There was no radiographic evidence of graft resorption or collapse. A 45-year-old female patient who was operated because of a Crowe type I dysplastic hip had radiological findings of osteolysis. The fixation of the graft was achieved with one screw. The coverage of the acetabular component was 96%, and the acetabular component coverage by the graft was 31% in that patient. Although the patient did not have any clinical complaints, postoperative 11th-year radiography showed that the screw applied for acetabular graft fixation backed out, and there were radiolucent areas around the screw. In addition, the presence of radiolucent space around the acetabular cup suggested that the reason for screw backing out was osteolysis rather than a graft incorporation problem (Figure 6). None of the other 23 hips had such a problem, and none of the patients needed revision. At the last follow-up, all patients were satisfied with the result.

Figure 4. (a) Preoperative X-ray. (b) Postoperative 12th year X-ray.

Figure 5. (a) Preoperative X-ray. (b) Postoperative eighth year X-ray (red arrow shows cortical continuity between graft and ilium).

Figure 6. (a) Preoperative X-ray. (b) Postoperative X-ray. (c) Postoperative 11th year X-ray, screw backed out and findings of osteolysis.

Discussion

Total hip arthroplasty is challenging in DDH, as dysplastic hips have a shallow articular cavity, increased anteversion, thin anterior wall, low bone stock and insufficient coverage of the femoral head.[1] Different methods have been described to solve the problem of covering the superolateral region of the acetabulum. Some of these methods include proximally placed small acetabular cups, placement of the cup by penetration of the medial wall (medial protrusion technique), iliac bone sliding grafting, and lateral bulk grafting using an autograft or an allograft.[5-7,12,17-20]

In our technique; first, we found the true acetabulum, which is very important regarding biomechanics, and then we decorticated the defect in the superolateral acetabulum until the cancellous bone was reached. We cut the femoral head in two, determined the location of the graft, and held it in the smallest volume with enough graft size; thus eliminating large volume graft problems. We cut the femoral head in a "stepped form" and placed it in a way that cancellous-cancellous bone contact was maximized, and we firmly fixed it with one to three compressive screws. At each stage of reaming, the graft was pressed even more so its stability increased. We were careful that the graft did not exceed 40% of the acetabular cover. All these applications increase graft revascularization and optimize the biological process for graft integration, which leads to increased bone stock and decrease in both long-term resorption and failure rates.[21]

The lateral bulk grafting technique has been preferred by many authors because it can be used readily from the head of the femur, permits placement of larger components, and is structurally supportive. Another advantage is the increased pelvic bone stock.[22] This benefit is an important issue when the age of onset of secondary degenerative changes in this population group is taken into consideration.

Published results of bulk autografts used in DDH vary probably because of differences in patient selection, the severity of dysplasia, bone quality, and technique of application of both bone graft and components.[22] Sufficient coverage of the acetabular component should be provided for stability in DDH. The graft size used for this purpose influences clinical success.[4,23] Despite good early results in Mulroy and Harris case series,[14] graft failure and failure because of resorption have been reported in up to 20%, 46%, and 60% at the end of the 7th, 11th, and 16th years, respectively. At the same time, the failure rate was 67% for grafts covering 40% or more (40 to 70%) of the cemented acetabular component, whereas the failure rate was 21% for grafts covering 40% or less (20 to 40%). According to Iona et al.,[24] grafts covering more than 40% of the acetabular component are responsible for poor outcomes in long-term follow up.

Similarly, Zahar et al.[25] also found that the rate of failure in large-volume graft cases was 84% at 11.6 years and stated that this failure would increase as the duration of follow-up increases. Some surgeons who have seen poor long-term outcomes of large-volume grafting have begun to apply vascular pedicled iliac wing grafts and have reported successful results.[26,27] Pizarro et al.[11] added iliac osteotomy during acetabular reconstruction and indicated that it provided both early stabilization and reliable graft consolidation. However, while the midterm results of this method are satisfactory, long-term results are not known. Kobayashi et al.[7] suggested that opening many holes to the ilium with a perforator could increase blood flow and cancellous-cancellous bone contact, thereby increasing graft fusion.

The consolidation of the graft used for acetabular coverage is achieved by new bone formation after partial resorption. This process is referred to as "creeping substitution" and depends on the blood supply of the graft. Marti et al.[23] emphasized that the fixation of two to three small autografts instead of large grafts provided earlier vascularization, and reduced the possibility of resorption to avoid loosening because of resorption in large structural grafts.

Previous publications have reported that graft stability and graft-bone contact are two of the most critical factors for graft incorporation.[2,9,10,20] In the original description by Harris,[2] the femoral head is curved to fit the ilium, and a notch is made in the ilium where the femoral head is placed. Subsequently, other authors have proposed cutting the femoral head to provide cancellous bone contact.[8,28]

Some factors limit our study. We used standard anteroposterior - lateral radiographs of the hip and evaluated the hip with two-dimensional radiographs. In the follow-up period, we did not evaluate the graft and acetabular cup as three-dimensional. Also, because of the lack of data obtained by magnetic resonance imaging, bone scintigraphy, and bone biopsy, we cannot assess the rate or extent of invasion of the bone graft by the repair tissue, or the metabolic status of autologous bone around and in the autograft. However, after the graft was applied, the progression of the trabeculae to the graft, presence of a radiodense line as a continuation of the lateral wall of the iliac bone, and absence of any change in this line during follow-up suggest that the autograft was successfully incorporated.

In conclusion, we believe that this stepped osteotomy technique both increases the probability of osteointegration and reduces the need for early revision. Even the midterm results of this described technique are very satisfactory, while longer follow-up is required to confirm the clinical success of this procedure.

Citation: Ertilav D, Cavit A, Bilbaşar H, Ürgüden M. Stepped osteotomy of femoral head autograft for acetabular reconstruction in total hip arthroplasty for dysplasia of the hip: 3 to 12 years’ results. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2020;31(2):353-359.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.

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