Isolated acetabular revision through the posterior approach: Short-term results after revision of a recalled acetabular component

Isolated acetabular revision is commonly associated with high rates of postoperative dislocation. We hypothesize that the dislocation rate in a series of isolated acetabular revisions for loosening of recalled acetabular components is low when strict intraoperative stability testing is coupled with re-repair of the piriformis tendon. Twenty-six isolated revisions of aseptic, loose recalled acetabular components were performed through the posterior approach by a single surgeon. All piriformis tendon and posterior capsular repairs from the index operation were considered intact at the time of revision. The piriformis tendon was re-repaired in each revision case. The average revision acetabular component was 3 mm larger than the index component. In this select group of isolated acetabular revisions, strict intraoperative stability testing and re-repair of the piriformis tendon yielded zero dislocations.