THE DIGASTRIC TROCHANTERIC OSTEOTOMY IN T HE REVISIONS OF TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY - REPORT OF 53 CASES

A new technic of trochanteric osteotomy preserving the attachment of t he vastus-lateralis is described : this procedure leads to mobilize th e greater trochanter which becomes interposed between the gluteus-medi us upward and the vastus-lateralis downward. A true digastric muscle i s therefore realized where functional integrity is preserved. The biom ecanichal and vascular advantages of this surgical approach are used i n revisions of total hip arthroplasties in which a large exposure is o ften required. This procedure, used in 53 consecutives cases, has allo wed to suppress the trochanteric non unions which jeopardized the func tional results of revision surgery, especially in high grade femoral l oosenings.