The variability of the volume of os coxae and linear pelvic morphometry. Considerations for total hip arthroplasty

This study investigated the variability of os coxae's volume and linear morphometry in 50 dry adult bones. There was a wide variability, with coefficients of variation exceeding 30%, of the bones' volumes (mean 142 ml, range 80 to 300 ml) and distances between the acetabular rim and the horizontal plane through the sciatic notch (mean 10.6 mm, range -7 to 19 mm). The smallest width of the ilium ranged between 3 and 9 mm at a level between 1.5 and 4 cm above the acetabulum. The volume of os coxae correlated with the acetabular diameter (r = 0.79), the height of os coxae (r = 0.88) and antero-posterior length of the ilium at mid-acetabular level (r = 0.70). Knowledge of the variability of os coxae may be useful during preoperative planning in primary and revision hip arthroplasty.