Slotted acetabular augmentation in childhood and adolescence

During an 18-year period, 157 hips in 140 patients with hip dysplasia underwent a slotted acetabular augmentation (SAA or shelf) procedure. Indication for the procedure was pain in 71, progressive subluxation in 52, and acetabular insufficiency in 34 hips. Follow-up of 24-168 months (mean 60 months) was obtained in 108 hips in 98 patients. Good or excellent results were recorded in 83% of the hips. Unsatisfactory results were usually due to excessive breadth or insufficient thickness of the augmentation. The SAA is an alternative to the Chiari osteotomy when lateralization of the hip is not excessive.