Results of periacetabular osteotomy in patients with previous surgery for hip dysplasia

The results of 19 periacetabular osteotomies in 18 patients who had undergone prior bony surgical procedures for hip dysplasia were evaluated. There were 10 females and eight males with an average age of 30.9 years. Previous surgical interventions included 18 intertrochanteric osteotomies, nine pelvic osteotomies, and two shelf acetabuloplasties. The average clinical followup for this group was 45 months. Harris hip score averages improved from 60 to 90 points. Merle d'Aubigne scores showed similar elevations from 13.1 to 16.4 points. Radiographic assessment documented increased coverage and lower Tönnis secondary arthrosis grades in a significant number of hips. No significant differences in outcome were found between this group and a reference group of patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomy who had no previous hip surgery. These intermediate term results are encouraging and seem to discount anticipated problems of prior scarring and distorted pelvic and proximal femoral anatomy.