Combining autologous bone marrow buffy coat and angioconductive bioceramic rod grafting with advanced core decompression improves short-term outcomes in early avascular necrosis of the femoral head: a prospective, randomized, comparative study

BACKGROUND: Treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) in young patients remains a clinical challenge. A current controversy is whether hip-preserving surgery results in better outcomes. The adverse effects of hip-preserving surgery are associated with the fill material for the necrotic areas. This study aims to evaluate the early effects of autologous bone marrow buffy coat (BBC) and angioconductive bioceramic rod (ABR) grafting with advanced core decompression (ACD) on early ANFH. METHODS: Forty-four (57 hips) patients with early ANFH from 2015 to 2020 were recruited for this study. They were randomized into two groups: group A received ACD, BBC, and ABR grafting; group B received treatment of ACD with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) granules and ABR grafting. The outcomes were assessed using the Harris Hip Scores (HHS) and survival rate analysis. The follow-up endpoint was defined as conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). RESULTS: Forty patients (51 hips) were ultimately included in this study for analysis. Compared with group B, patients in group A had higher postoperative function score (P = 0.032) and postoperative Harris Hip Scores (HHS) (P = 0.041). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a trend that the survivorship of the femoral head was higher in group A than in group B. CONCLUSION: The short-term follow-up results showed that the autologous bone marrow buffy coat and angioconductive bioceramic rod grafting with advanced core decompression is effective in the treatment of early ANFH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2000039595. Retrospectively registered on 11 February 2015.