Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of tantalum components in the management of acetabular reconstruction following periacetabular oncologic resection in primary malignancies

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of tantalum components utility in the reconstruction of acetabular defects following periacetabular oncologic resection of primary malignancies. METHODS: We prospectively collected a consecutive of 15 cases that were treated with tantalum components for acetabular reconstruction after periacetabular oncologic resection from January 2018 to December 2018. The cohort included 8 male and 7 female patients, with a mean age of 47.6 years (range, 33 to 67 years). Pathology types: chondrosarcoma (n = 9), malignant bone giant cell tumor (n = 3) and osteosarcoma (n = 3). Clinical outcomes, functional and radiographic results were recorded in detail for analysis. RESULTS: Patients received planned oncologic resection and tantalum components reconstruction without casualty; they were followed up with a mean of 39.7 months (35–45 months). The mean operation time was 4.0 h (3.0–6.0 h), and the mean blood loss was 1260 ml (800–2200 ml). Functional outcomes were assessed by MSTS-93 scale, with an average of 21.8 (12.0–26.0 scores), among which 3 cases were excellent, 11 were good and 1 was fair. The mean Harris Hip Score was 79.1scores (46.0–92.0 scores) at 1-year follow-up postoperatively. 3(3/15, 20.0%) cases experienced postoperative complications: 2 cases with hip dislocation received closed reduction under general anesthesia and were fixed with hip joint abduction braces for 6 weeks; one case had a superficial infection and received debridement with a delayed wound healing. Oncologic prognosis: one case relapsed at 8-month follow-up and received hemi-pelvic amputation; and another osteosarcoma patient experienced relapse with pulmonary metastasis and received further chemotherapy. No prosthetic loosening, displacement or fracture occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results suggested that the use of tantalum components in the management of acetabular reconstruction following periacetabular oncologic resection provided reasonable improvement on functional outcomes and early stability of the prostheses. Porous tantalum components are conducive to bony ingrowth, which is a potential alternative to various existing reconstruction techniques to achieve better functional outcomes.