Mini-anterior approach for surgical reduction of developmental dysplasia of the hip: a case series

Abstract

Background: Our hypothesis was that the mini-anterior approach gives adequate exposure with satisfactory result in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip. Methods: Twenty-three hips in 20 patients who had developmental dysplasia of the hip (18 girls and two boys) underwent surgical reduction using the mini-anterior approach. The incision extended from a point about 1 cm below and medial to the anterior iliac superior spine obliquely to a point about 1 cm lateral to the femoral pulsation. The average patient age at the time of surgery was 15 mo. Results: Clinical results were evaluated according to the modified McKay criteria and the cosmetic appearance of the wound. Excellent wound cosmetic appearance was present in all patients. Twenty-two hips (95.7%) were rated clinically as excellent to good, whereas only one hip was rated as fair. According to radiographic Severin grading, 20 hips (86.4%) were rated as excellent to good and only three hips (13.6%) were rated as fair. Conclusions: The mini-anterior approach can be used safely in patients with dysplasia of the hip who are younger than 20 mo with adequate exposure and minimal soft-tissue dissection. Level of Evidence: Level IV.