Comparing the Pemberton osteotomy and modified San Diego acetabuloplasty in developmental dysplasia of the hip.

PURPOSE: Patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) may require a pelvic osteotomy to treat acetabular dysplasia. The Pemberton osteotomy and modified San Diego acetabuloplasty are two options available when surgically treating DDH. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes following the Pemberton and modified San Diego when treating patients with acetabular dysplasia in typical DDH. METHODS: We included 45 hips in the modified San Diego group and 38 hips in the Pemberton group. Hips with less than two years follow-up and patients with a neuromuscular diagnosis were excluded. Clinical outcomes were rated using the modified McKay criteria with radiographic outcomes graded using the Severin score. Avascular necrosis (AVN) was assessed using the Kalamchi and MacEwen criteria. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 4.9 years (2.1 to 11.2). Both procedures produced similar decreases in the acetabular index (modified San Diego: 17.0˚ versus Pemberton: 15.2˚; p = 0.846). Most hips had good/excellent results using the modified McKay criteria (modified San Diego: 78%, Pemberton: 94%; p = 0.055). Most hips were rated as good/excellent on the Severin scale (modified San Diego: 100%, Pemberton: 97%, p = 0.485). The proportion of hips with AVN grade 2 or higher were similar between groups (modified San Diego: 0%, Pemberton: 3%; p = 0.458). CONCLUSION: The modified San Diego acetabuloplasty is a safe and effective alternative to treat acetabular dysplasia in patients with typical DDH. By maintaining an intact medial cortex, acetabular reshaping can be customized to address each patient's specific acetabular deficiency. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III retrospective comparison.

Should paediatricians initiate orthopaedic hip dysplasia referrals for infants with isolated asymmetric skin folds?

PURPOSE: Asymmetric skin folds (ASFs) have been linked to developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in select studies, leading to their inclusion in paediatric practice guidelines regarding orthopaedic referral for hip evaluation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of isolated ASFs as a screening tool for DDH in a series of patient referrals evaluated at a single institution. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients between 0 and 12 months of age referred to orthopaedic clinics for isolated ASFs. We recorded radiographic findings (acetabular inclination or alpha angle), diagnosis rendered and treatment administered. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were included (mean age 6.4 months; 2.47 to 10.76). All patients received pelvic radiographs or ultrasound. In all, 36 patients (55%) were considered normal by their treating physician and 25 (38%) were considered dysplastic and underwent brace treatment. One hip with an isolated ASF was found to have a dislocated hip on radiograph prior to their initial orthopaedic visit. None of the patients in this study have required surgery to date. CONCLUSION: Using ASFs as a reason for referral led to increased diagnosis of mild dysplasia resulting in orthotic treatment. Thus, in our particular clinical environment, isolated ASFs can be an indicator of mild dysplasia and warrant further workup or referral. Because treatment philosophies regarding recognition and treatment of mild dysplasia vary amongst centres, the value of screening with ASFs likewise depends on the treating orthopaedic surgeon's threshold for treatment of mild dysplasia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV- Retrospective.

Patient-specific 3D models aid planning for triplane proximal femoral osteotomy in slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

PURPOSE: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) can result in a complex three-dimensional (3D) deformity of the proximal femur. A three-plane proximal femoral osteotomy (TPFO) has been described to improve hip mechanics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefits of using 3D print technology to aid in surgical planning. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen children treated with TPFO for symptomatic proximal femoral deformity due to SCFE were included in this study. Ten patients were treated by a single surgeon with (model group, n = 5) or without (no-model group, n = 5) a 3D model for pre-operative planning, and compared with patients treated by two senior partners without the use of a model (senior group, n = 5) to evaluate for a learning curve. Peri-operative data including patient body mass index (BMI), surgical time and fluoroscopy time were recorded. RESULTS: Children in all three groups had similar BMIs at the time of the TPFO. Post-operative radiographic parameters were equally improved in all three groups. On average, surgical time decreased by 45 minutes and 38 minutes, and fluoroscopy time decreased by 50% and 25%, in the model group compared with the no-model and senior groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-specific 3D models aid in surgical planning for complex 3D orthopaedic deformities by enabling practice of osteotomies. Results suggest that 3D models may decrease surgical time and fluoroscopy time while allowing for similar deformity correction. These models may be especially useful to overcome steep learning curves for complex procedures or in trainee education through mock surgical procedures.

Development and prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement-associated morphology in a paediatric and adolescent population: a CT study of 225 patients.

We investigated the development of CT-based bony radiological parameters associated with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in a paediatric and adolescent population with no known orthopaedic hip complaints. We retrospectively reformatted and reoriented 225 abdominal CTs into standardised CT pelvic images with neutral pelvic tilt and inclination (244 female and 206 male hips) in patients ranging from two to 19 years of age (mean 10.4 years). The Tönnis angle, acetabular depth ratio, lateral centre-edge angle, acetabular version and α-angle were assessed. Acetabular measurements demonstrated increased acetabular coverage with age and/or progressive ossification of the acetabulum. The α-angle decreased with age and/or progressive cortical bone development and resultant narrowing of the femoral neck. Cam and pincer morphology occurred as early as ten and 12 years of age, respectively, and their prevalence in the adolescent patient population is similar to that reported in the adult literature. Future aetiological studies of FAI will need to focus on the early adolescent population.

[A comparison between the use of a monolateral external fixator and the Ilizarov technique for pelvic support osteotomies]. / Pelvis destek osteotomilerinde tek tarafli eksternal fiksatör ile klasik Ilizarov tekniginin karsilastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the results of monolateral external fixator and the Ilizarov technique for pelvic support osteotomies in the treatment of neglected congenital hip dislocation. METHODS: Seventeen female patients with congenital dislocation of the hip underwent pelvic support osteotomy using a monolateral external fixator (MEF) (n=7; mean age 23.2 years; range 17 to 39 years) or the hybrid advanced Ilizarov method (HAIM) (n=10; mean age 25.9 years; range 17 to 36 years). The mean leg discrepancies, durations of the external fixator, and follow up-periods in the MEF and HAIM groups were as follows, respectively: 5.5 cm and 5.2 cm; 201.5 days (range 185 to 241 days) and 197 days (164 to 248 days); 30.4 months (23 to 39 months) and 40.5 months (21 to 65 months). The two groups were compared with respect to patients' discomfort related to the use of external fixators and pin tract infections classified according to the Paley criteria. RESULTS: Overall, six pins required removal because of grade 3 pin track infections (5 in the HAIM group, 1 in the MEF group). The number of patients who reported extreme discomfort for the use of external fixator was three in the HAIM group and one in the MEF group. Although the range of motion of the knee was similar in both groups (p>0.05), clinically, patients treated with MEF exhibited a more comfortable range of motion of the knee with external fixation and, after removal of the fixator, reached a knee flexion of 90 degrees in a shorter time (36 days versus 47 days). CONCLUSION: The use of MEF for pelvic support osteotomies seems to be preferable because it is associated with a lower rate of pin tract infections and a higher degree of patient comfort.

Human hip dysplasia: evolution of current treatment concepts.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is best treated during infancy. Residual dysplasia is a major cause of disability and should be corrected surgically at an early age. Children 3-8 years of age are usually treated with an acetabular reshaping osteotomy, such as the Pemberton procedure or the San Diego osteotomy. Children over age 8-10 years are best treated using triple innominate osteotomy. After age 14-15 years, when the triradiate cartilage is closed, the Ganz periacetabular osteotomy provides effective correction of residual dysplasia. Surgical intervention during childhood or teenage years can alter the natural history of hip dysplasia and greatly improve hip-joint longevity.