ABSTRACT
Twenty-six hips [24 children] with developmental dislocation were revised for failure of the primary open reduction. The mean follow-up time was 66.7 months after the secondary procedures; range, from 40 to 90 months. Failure of the initial treatment was most probably related to technical errors; mainly of the inadequate widening and deepening of the acetabular socket for concentric and perfect femoral head containment. The inadequate release of the inferior capsule with the transverse acetabular ligament and residuals ofpulvinar occupying the acetabular fossa markedly reduced the acetabular width and depth; that represented the possible predisposing factors for redislocation of the femoral head. Results of the repeat operations were serious. Only 11 hips were radiologically within normal and 12 were clinically good, while the others showed a variable degrees of radiographic changes and affection of the function; 4 had a worse outcome. The long-term consequences are expected to be more serious. Thus, a stable reduction achieved by the first open operation is the golden chance for these cases