Pelvic discontinuity is encountered frequently during acetabular revision in patients with severe acetabular bone loss. Prompt recognition of the discontinuity and appropriate intraoperative treatment are essential for a successful clinical outcome. The treatment of the discontinuity is dependent on the remaining host bone, the potential for healing of the discontinuity, and the potential for biologic ingrowth of acetabular components. If healing potential of the discontinuity exists, the discontinuity should be treated in compression with a posterior column plate and structural allograft or with the use of trabecular metal acting as an internal plate. If healing potential for the discontinuity does not exist, the discontinuity should be bridged and treated in distraction with an acetabular transplant supported with a cage, a trabecular metal component with trabecular metal augmentation, or with the use of a custom triflange implant.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic study, Level III-1 (case-control study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.