Since 1995, we have reconstructed defects of the proximal femoral bone with the autogenous unicortical iliac bone by revision hip arthroplasty. We report the preliminary results of this method.

Among cases of revision hip arthroplasty reconstructed with autogenous unicortical iliac bone graft between March 1995 and December 1997, we studied 45 cases, which had been followed for more than 2 years. The loss of femoral bone was classified using AAOS classification. Twenty four cases belonged to level 1, segmental type and 21 cases belonged to level 1, segmental with level 2 cavitary type. We documented the healing process of grafted bone by simple radiography every 6 months and evaluated clinical results by Harris scoring.

The average Harris score improved from 67.2 to 79.5. Radiological union was found at an average 4.5 months, and complete union at an average 19 months. There were 2 cases of loosening, 4 prolonged pain on the bone-harvested site, 3 trochanteric nonunion, one sciatic nerve palsy and one pulmonary embolism.

Small sized defects of the proximal femur are reconstructed satisfactorily by using autogenous unicortical iliac bone graft in revision hip arthroplasty.