A modified Harrington technique for periacetabular reconstruction in advanced metastatic bone disease and a discussion of alternative treatment options

Abstract

Management of periacetabular lesions involves complex clinical decision making. The modified Harrington procedure with total hip arthroplasty can recreate pelvic stability with a cement rebar construct as well as a functional hip. This study analyzes the modified Harrington procedure to assess construct longevity and patient outcomes. We queried a prospectively maintained database to identify all patients at a large academic medical center from 2017 to 2019 with periacetabular metastatic disease treated with a modified Harrington. Medical records were reviewed and complications, patient outcomes, Musculoskeletal Society Tumor (MSTS) scores, and implant survival were recorded. A total of nine patients were treated with the modified Harrington between 2017 and 2019. At maximum follow- up there were zero revisions or longterm complications. The mean preoperative MSTS score was 2.2 (range, 0-18), compared to the mean postoperative MSTS score of 17.7 (range, 9-25) recorded at a mean 4 (range, 1-30) months following surgery (p<0.001). The modified Harrington technique total hip technique for reconstruction in periacetabular metastatic bone disease is a safe procedure with effective symptom relief, improvement in function, and excellent implant survivorship.