My first 50 years of orthopaedic surgery

Triple pelvic osteotomy for the treatment of residual hip dysplasia. Analysis of complications

The aim of the paper was to present the results achieved with triple pelvic osteotomy in the treatment of residual hip dysplasia, with special interest in identifying recurrences and complications and how to avoid them. 60 patients (76 hips) with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), treated by the triple pelvic osteotomy according to Tönnis and modified by Vladimirov, were included in the study. Hips were evaluated radiologically with the center-edge (CE) angle, break of the Shenton-Menard arch and index of acetabular depth by Heyman-Herndon, and functionally using the Harris Hip Score (HHS). The postoperative results showed an average increase of the CE angle by a mean of 23.5+/-9.28 degrees, with a highly significant difference between the preoperative and final postoperative findings (t-test, t=-20.85, p<0.01). The mean HHS significantly improved (p<0.01). Total complication rate was 13,1%, divided in: 1,3% (one case) of triple nonunion of iliac, pubic and ischial bones, 7,9% (six cases) of double nonunion of pubic and ischial bones, 2,6% (two cases) of peroneal palsy and 1,3% (one case) of infection. In this study the triple pelvic osteotomy showed to be reliable for acetabular dysplasia in adolescent and young adult, alone or in association with proximal femoral osteotomy and/or great trochanter distal advancement.

Triple pelvic osteotomy in the treatment of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease

This article presents the results of Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP) disease treatment using triple pelvic osteotomy. Thirty patients were analysed. The conditions for inclusion in the study were complete medical documentation and follow-up until the disease was resolved. Postoperatively, no patients were immobilised. Rehabilitation was initiated early in all patients, and full weight bearing was allowed after ten weeks. With this method, an increase of the CE angle of 17.43 +/- 4.020 degrees was achieved. Containment was increased from an initial 6.67% to 53.33% of patients at the final check-up. Similar improvement was achieved by using Herring classification of the damage; preoperatively most hips belonged to group C, and postoperatively to group A. Postoperatively, functional results were also considerably improved. The authors recommend triple pelvic osteotomy as the method of choice in the treatment of severe cases of LCP disease.