Salter innominate osteotomy in the treatment of late presentation Perthes disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of patients presenting older than eight years and treated with Salter osteotomy for Perthes disease.

Seventeen patients (18 hips) with late presentation of Perthes disease treated with Salter osteotomy. Sixteen males were identified. The average age of patients was 8.8 years (range 8-12). Preoperation radiographs were analysed for lateral pillar staging, centre-periphery (CP) angle, Sharp acetabular index, acetabular depth index, acetabular covering percentage and Cross-over sign. Final follow-up radiograph were classified using modified Stulberg grade.

The average follow-up of the patients was 78 months (range 40-104). During the surgery, seven hips were found to be lateral pillar grade B, three hips grade B/C and 8 hips grade C. In the final examination, 10 hips were evaluated as good (Stulberg 1 or 2), seven as medium (Stulberg 3) and one as bad (Stulberg 4). There was shortening in four patients who were all either Stulberg stage 3 or 4. A meaningful difference was detected between the pre-operation and post-operation radiographic values, regardless of the surgical staging. However, no statistical difference was found between the patients in Stulberg stage 3 or 4 and stage 1 or 2 for radiographic variables.

Salter osteotomy can be used to treat older patients with lateral pillar stage B, B/C and C at presentation.