The results of Pemberton's pericapsular osteotomy in patients with developmental hip dysplasia

The aim of this study was to investigate the radiological and clinical outcomes of Pemberton's pericapsular osteotomy in toddlers and preschool children with developmental hip dysplasia.

Ninety-one hips of 86 patients (81 girls, 5 boys) with developmental hip dysplasia who underwent Pemberton's pericapsular osteotomy were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 34 (range: 18 to 96) months. The mean duration of follow-up was 60 (range: 24 to 158) months. All patients underwent open reduction and Pemberton's pericapsular osteotomy, including 12 hips in which proximal femur osteotomy had been performed earlier. Clinical results were evaluated according to McKay's clinical evaluation criteria, radiological results according to Sever's radiological evaluation criteria, and the presence of avascular necrosis according to Kalamchi-MacEwen's classification criteria.

At the final examinations the mean acetabular index was 12.04° (range: 5° to 24°) and the mean Wiberg's center-edge angle was 35.5° (range: 20° to 52°). Clinically, excellent results were obtained in 81 (89.0%) hips, good results were obtained in 2 (2.2%) hips, and fair results in 8 (8.8%) hips. Radiologically, excellent results were obtained in 79 (86.8%) hips, good results in 7 (7.7%) and fair results in 5 (5.5%) hips. Clinically and radiologically no poor results were noted. Type 1 avascular necrosis was detected in 9 (9.9%) hips, Type 2 in 7 (7.7%) hips, and Type 3 in one (1.1%) hip. There were no cases with Type 4 avascular necrosis.

Pemberton's pericapsular osteotomy is a safe and effective procedure for the surgical treatment of developmental hip dysplasia in toddlers and preschool children.