Custom Triflange Cups: 20-Year Experience

The custom triflange acetabular component is used during revision THA to address severe acetabular bone loss. Midterm results are promising, with low rates of loosening and triflange revision reported. However, reoperation and overall complication rates remain high. We aim to investigate our institution’s custom triflange experience over 20 years by evaluating implant survivorship, reoperations, complications, and clinical outcomes.

Prospectively collected data were reviewed for 50 patients undergoing revision THA with the use of a triflanged component from January 2000 to December 2018. 94% among these cases had a known outcome or minimum two year follow-up. Outcomes related to the triflange component were recorded, including revisions, reoperations, surgical complications, medical complications, Harris hip scores, and patient satisfaction. Phone interviews were conducted with patients whose recent follow-up exceeded 2 years. Radiographic review was performed to define implants as either stable or unstable.

The average Harris hip scores improved 24 points (49 to 73; P < .001). 91% of eligible patients were satisfied at follow-up. One patient was scheduled for revision at an outside institution during the study period. There were 2 reoperations (1 acute infection and 1 screw removal). One patient died due to pulmonary thromboembolism. A Trendelenberg gait was present in 46% (23/50) of patients. There were 14 major complications (28%). Dislocation (12%) was the most common complication.

Custom triflange components provide a reliable solution for managing complex acetabular defects in revision THA. Patients should be counseled on magnitude of surgery and the high incidence of complications, specifically infection and dislocation.