Minimally invasive removal of intra-articular hip fragments under navigation guidance

The interposition of foreign bodies between the femoral head and the acetabulum represents a danger to the articular cartilage with a definite progression to osteoarthritis. Their removal is necessary and usually involves two surgical techniques: by open arthrotomy or under arthroscopy. The present article proposes a new surgical technique allowing the removal of intra-articular foreign bodies from the hip by a minimally invasive approach and aCT-guided navigation system. This technique is a good alternative that overcomes some shortcomings of other minimally invasive techniques, which struggle to access the fragment. It can also avoid specific complications of these procedures, such as the risk of abdominal compartment syndrome with arthroscopy, in the case of an associated acetabulum fracture.