Trochanteric osteotomy and wire fixation: a comparison of 2 techniques

Between 1986 and 1989, 190 patients (214 hips) with the diagnosis of osteoarthritis or posttraumatic arthritis underwent cemented Charnley total hip replacement surgeries via the biplane or single plane transtrochanteric approach. The technique of surgery was identical in every aspect except for the technique of the trochanteric osteotomy and reattachment. The results indicate that there was no significant difference in union rates between the 2 groups. Six (6.4%) patients in the biplane group and 7 (6.2%) patients in the single plane group had obvious evidence of nonunion at the 1-year evaluation. This study suggests no significant difference in union rate between a group of patients with biplane osteotomy and a closely paired group of patients with single plane osteotomy. Other equally important factors also may influence the rate of union of the trochanter in total hip arthroplasty.