COMPLICATION RATE FOLLOWING TROCHANTER OS TEOTOMY IN TOTAL HIP-REPLACEMENT - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY AND ERROR ANALYSIS

In total hip arthroplasty extended approach, simplified luxation and i mproved exposure are the major advantages of trochanteric osteotomy. T he main complication of the iatrogenic fracture is the nonunion which has occurred in about 20% of our patients (61 operations, 80% revision procedures). The rate of nonunion decreases using an optimized techni que of reattachment, in particular; sufficient thickness of wires and placing of K-wires in the trochanter minor region. However, the bony n onunion has not necessarily an influence of the clinical outcome. Fibr ous union provides in most cases satisfactory stability and function. In 3 patients revision surgery was necessary caused by the trochanter osteotomy: 2 suffered from a painful bursitis. In the 3rd case a stron g abductor impairment occurred as the result of the trochanteric osteo tomy. Refixation of the dislocated trochanter became necessary. Condis ering the risk of complications trochanteric osteotomy should be reser ved for exceptional cases only.