RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate methods and short-term effects on tantalum metal block for reconstruction of Paprosky type III severe acetabulum bone defect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve patients (12 hips) with Paprosky type III severe acetabulum bone defect,treated with tantalum metal block in revision of total hip arthroplasty, were retrospectively analyzed from March 2009 to December 2012. Among the patients, there were 5 males and 7 females aged from 45 to 78 years old with an average of 64 years old; the courses of disease ranged from 3 to 32 months with an average of 16 months. According to classification of Paprosky, all patients were Paprosky type III acetabulum bone defect. All patients were used tantalum metal block in revision of total hip arthroplasty, and large diameter biological acetabulum cups were used in combination. Operative time,blood loss and postoperative complications were recorded and compared, Harris score were used to evaluate clinical effects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eleven patients ( 11 hips) were followed up from 9 to 36 months with an average of 25 months, 1 case was lost to follow-up for dying in car accident. The incisions were healed at stage I . Operative time ranged from 2 to 6 h with an average of 3 h; blood loss was 300 to 1 600 ml with an average of 900 ml. No deep venous thrombosis, periprosthetic femoral fracture and infection, sciatic nerve injury occurred after operation. Harris score were improved from (46.25 ± 8.99) before operation to (83.75 ± 6.76) after operation. There was significant difference in Harris score before and after operation (t = 3.14, P = 0.00 < 0.05), and 7 cases got excellent results, 2 good and 2 moderate. CONCLUCSION: Tantalum metal block is suitable for revision of Paprosky III acetabulum bone defect, could repair different kinds of acetabulum cup defect, could fill up inclusive defect of inner wall combined with particulate bone graft, induce bone growth pressured between metal block and metal cup, provide a new further choose for the treatment of Paprosky type III severe acetabulum bone defect.</p>