Intercalary autograft not mandatory for shortening in total hip arthroplasty: A retrospective study

This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients who underwent autograft application following standard transverse osteotomy supported by two cobalt-chrome cables with those who did not use autografts to support the osteotomy line in Crowe type IV Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH).

Sixty-nine patients (78 hips) with Crowe type IV DDH underwent a transverse subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy. In Group 1, 42 hips had their osteotomy site supported with an autograft harvested from the shortening osteotomy. Conversely, Group 2 consisted of 36 hips in which graft application was not performed, and fixation of the osteotomy site was solely achieved by employing the femoral stem. Clinical outcome measures included limb length discrepancy, pain (visual analog score), and functional Harris Hip Score (HHS). For radiological evaluation, bone healing of the femoral osteotomy site was assessed using the radiographic union score for tibial (mRUST) classification, and stabilization of components was evaluated according to the Engh classification.

There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, follow-up duration, preoperative and postoperative LLD, VAS score, and HHS values. No statistically significant difference was identified between the Engh classification. Significant differences between the groups were detected in the mRUST classification (p = 0.020). The mean value of the group not utilizing autograft (11,89 ± 1,83) was higher than that of the group using autografts (10,95 ± 1,59). There was no statistically significant relationship between complications between the groups (p = 0.981).

Performing of THA in Crowe type IV DDH, the press-fit application of the femoral component, without additional implantation or grafting, have shown comparable and satisfactory outcomes.