Trochanteric osteotomies in revision total hip arthroplasty: contemporary techniques and results

Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) presents several challenges to the orthopaedic surgeon and typically requires the use of a more extensile surgical approach. Osteotomy of the greater trochanter can be considered as the ultimate extensile exposure in revision THA. The methods of trochanteric osteotomy can be categorized into three types: the standard trochanteric osteotomy, the trochanteric slide, and the extended trochanteric osteotomy. Although the standard osteotomy and trochanteric slide osteotomy provide excellent acetabular exposure, in the revision setting they are frequently associated with an unacceptably high rate of nonunion and proximal migration of the trochanteric fragment. The extended trochanteric osteotomy (ETO) has increased in popularity as the number and complexity of revision THAs continue to increase. Two commonly used techniques are the ETO via a posterolateral approach or via a modified direct lateral approach. Both techniques provide wide exposure of the acetabulum, facilitate femoral component exposure and removal, aid in canal preparation and femoral reconstruction, and allow for correction of proximal femoral deformity. The osteotomy fragment is easily secured and may be advanced distally to achieve proper tensioning of the abductors. Recent literature demonstrates that the ETO has a relatively low rate of nonunion and is associated with fewer intraoperative femoral fractures or cortical perforations, as well as decreased surgical time.