RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To retrospectively compare the therapeutic effects of simple Pemberton's ilium osteotomy and combined unter-trochanter derotation-varisation osteotomy for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 141 DDH patients who received either simple Pemberton's ilium osteotomy (n=57; 12 male and 45 female; age range 3-8 years) or combined unter-trochanter derotation-varisation osteotomy (n=84; 15 male and 69 female; age range 4-9 years) from January 2004 to January 2009 were collected. Postoperative complications, Severin's radiological outcomes and therapeutic outcomes as evaluated by Mcay criteria were compared between the two groups 2 years after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients in simple Pemberton group were followed-up for 30-52 months (mean 38 months) and the patients in the combination group were followed-up for 32-51 months (mean 37 months). There were 7 cases of dislocation, 4 cases of avescular necrosis of femoral head and 5 cases of joint stiffness in simple Pemberton group vs 0 case of dislocation, contraction of the limb and ANFH,2 cases of joint stiffness in the combination group. Two years after surgery, the result as evaluated by McKay criteria was excellent in 27 cases, good in 18 cases and fair in 12 cases in simple Pemberton group vs. 52, 25 and 7 cases in the combination group. The overall clinical outcome in the combination group was better than that in simple Pemberton group. Severin X-ray evaluation showed excellent in 27 cases, good in 15 cases and fair in 15 cases in simple Pemberton group vs. 53, 22 and 9 cases in the combination group,indicating that the overall result in the combination group was better than that in simple Pemberton group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The overall clinical outcome of the combination group is better than that of simple Pemberton group in the treatment of pediatric DDH, especially in reducing postoperative complications and functional recovery. The patients in the combination group reported a higher postoperative satisfaction as compared with those in simple Pemberton group.</p>