Reconstructive surgery in the myelomeningocele hip.

In 17 myelomeningocele patients with subluxating or dislocated hips, 31 posterolateral iliopsoas were treated by transfers, as described by Sharrard, in addition to complimentary procedures to balance muscle power and center the hip joint. Surgical goals are to stablize the hips within the acetabulum and prevent the occurrence of severe fixed flexion and adduction contractures of the hip and secondary lumbar lordosis. Surgery is performed at about 1 year of age with bilateral adductor transfer to the ischium, followed in 2 weeks by the posterolateral transfer of the iliopsoas muscle, first on one hip and 2 weeks later following with the other hip. Adductor transfer to the ischium reduces the adductor and secondary flexor power of the adductor longus and anterior fibers of the adductor brevis. After transfer it provides some extensor power. The range of abduction is increased. The transferred iliopsoas muscle has a better mechanical advantage in its new function as an abductor and extensor, and the hips were better centered radiographically than the cases with iliopsoas transfer alone. Fewer bony procedures were required to center the hips when the iliopsoas transfer was performed in children before the age of 1 1/2 years.