Clinical–radiological evaluation of the impaction allografting and cemented stem technique in revision knee surgery ☆

Abstract Objective Long term clinical and radiological evaluation of results, survival, and peri-operative and post-operative complications of the patients who have been operated on for revision total hip arthroplasty using the impaction allografting and cemented rod technique. Material and methods An observational, analytical, prospective and non-random study was conducted on 26 patients who underwent revision total hip arthroplasty in our Hospital (1997–1998). They were clinically and radiologically assessed, and a survival analysis of the implant was performed. Results Statistically significant differences were identified in the pre- and post-operative values, according to Harris and Merle D’Aubigne scores. The femoral components survival was considered as an endpoint of the revision replacement, which was 84% at a mean of 13 years. There were 9 intraoperative complications (6 were fractures) and they significantly affected the length of hospital stay. No post-operative complications were observed in 70% of the patients. None of the analysed variables had any influence on the radiological subsidence of the femoral component. Discussion Several techniques aim to solve the bone stock deficiency in revision total hip arthroplasty, but only impaction grafting attempts to recover it. Conclusions The Ling's technique shows an improvement over the Merle D’Aubigne and Harris scores, in the medium-long term. The intraoperative complications are mainly an increase in the length of hospital stay and the number of days needed to be able to sit down. Ling's technique is a good option to consider in young patients where it is foreseeable that there is a new revision surgery in the future.