Abstract

Thirty-five hips (31 children, operated between 1971 and 1982) were reviewed after skeletal maturity with a mean follow-up of 12 years. The 31 children had been treated initially by closed reduction of the hip using the Somerville-Petit method (mean age: 18 months), and subsequently by innominate osteotomy (mean age: 4 years) to correct a residual dysplasia which was graded upon the VCE angle, and Severin and McFarland's classifications. There were 88% good results; however only 51% of hips were classified Severin Ia and McFarland 1. In this study, the authors tried to assess the long term efficacy of the innominate osteotomy and to determine the optimal time to perform it. They discuss the limits of indications for innominate osteotomy, which could be excessive if spontaneous improvement may be expected to occur. Age and radiological findings are good indicators.