Total hip arthroplasty in neglected congenital high dislocation of the hip. A comparison of four different surgical techniques.

The safest and easiest technique of performing a total hip replacement (THR) in neglected high congenitally dislocated hip (CDH) is still debatable. To find the best method, a prospective randomised trial comparing four different techniques was undertaken. A total of 48 THRs were performed on 40 patients with CDH. Average age was 40.6 years and average follow-up was 42 months. Four different techniques (n=12 each) were used: 1) THR into neo-acetabulum in a single operation, 2) THR into real acetabulum as a one stage procedure, 3) Campbell release operation followed by THR into real acetabulum after three weeks of traction, 4) THR with proximal femoral shortening. Even though shortening and one stage THR is technically more demanding we believe it superior to the other techniques. (Hip International 2002; 12: 308-13).