Background: Patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) following pelvic radiation have historically had poor survivorship free of aseptic acetabular component loosening. However, several series have reported improved results with tantalum acetabular components. The purpose of this study is to assess implant survivorship, radiographic results, and clinical outcomes of contemporary, porous titanium acetabular components in the setting of prior pelvic radiation.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients (38 hips) with prior pelvic radiation between 2006 and 2016 who underwent primary THA. The mean overall pelvic radiation dose was 6300 cGy with a mean latency period to THA of 5 years. The most common acetabular component was Pinnacle (DePuy Synthes) in 76%. Eight-seven percent of cups were fixed with screws. The mean age at primary THA was 74 years, 76% were male, and the mean body mass index was 30 kg/m2. Mean follow-up was 5 years.
Results: The 10-year survivorship free of revision for aseptic loosening, free of any revision, and free of any reoperation were 100%, 89%, and 89%, respectively, when accounting for death as a competing risk. There were 3 revisions; one each for taper corrosion, recurrent dislocation, and infection. Radiographically, all cups had evidence of osteointegration and none had radiographic evidence of loosening. The mean Harris Hip Score improved from 50 to 84 postoperatively (P < .0001).
Conclusion: Contemporary porous titanium acetabular components with supplemental screws provided excellent implant fixation in patients with prior therapeutic pelvic radiation. At 10 years, 100% of these components were free of revision for aseptic loosening and 100% were radiographically well-fixed.
Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic.
Keywords: aseptic loosening; implant survivorship; pelvic radiation; porous acetabular components; total hip arthroplasty (THA).
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