Acetabuloplasty by triple pelvic osteotomy: indications and surgical technique.

Triple pelvic osteotomy (or triradiate osteotomy) enables a Salter innominate osteotomy to be performed in older children, or even in adults. The displacement of the acetabular fragments is made possible by a double osteotomy near the symphysis in the anterior pelvic girdle. After the age of seven to eight years, the lack of elasticity in the symphysis pubis makes it technically difficult to perform a classic Salter osteotomy. On the basis of a study of the first twenty cases in which the operation was performed, the authors discuss the indications and describe the surgical technique for this operation, which enables excellent acetabular roof cover to be provided in dysplastic hip joints in which the femoral head can still be centered.