The Burch-Schneider cage for reconstruction after metastatic destruction of the acetabulum: outcome and complications

The Burch-Schneider cage is an established implant in revision surgery after hip arthroplasty that is used for reconstructing osseous defects in the acetabulum. However, there are only a few reports about the use of cages in patients with metastatic destruction of the acetabulum. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the outcome and complications of this procedure. The records of 15 patients with metastatic acetabular defects using the Burch-Schneider cage were examined pre- and postoperatively. X-rays were analyzed, clinical and functional outcome was assessed by the Harris hip score (HHS) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for subjective pain perception. The follow-up of 14 months was due to the underlying disease. The overall revision rate was 26%. The HHS improved from 33 (range 25-39) to 69 (range 35-93). The VAS improved from 7.5 to 3.2. The life expectancy of patients with bone metastasis can be short and patients should be carefully selected for a surgical treatment. The implantation of a protrusio cage can improve the quality of life in these patients by increasing their mobility and reducing pain. The complication rate is comparable with the rates for other surgical methods for metastatic acetabular lesions. For surgeons who are familiar with this implant, it seems to be a good option in treating such cases.