Anterolateral approach for moderate to severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis

The efficacy of the anterolateral pinning of moderate and severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) was studied both mechanically and clinically. The mechanical stability of anterolateral pinning was equivalent to that of conventional lateral pinning as shown by study in 16 immature porcine hips. The clinical results in the group pinned from the anterolateral approach were superior in that fewer complications occurred as compared with the traditional lateral approach. The group with anterolateral pinning had 2 complications in 13 hips, whereas lateral pinnings resulted in 8 complications in 28 hips. We recommend the anterolateral approach rather than the conventional lateral approach in pinning of moderate and severe SCFE.