POLYLACTIDE SCREWS IN ACETABULAR OSTEOTOMY - 28 DYSPLASTIC HIPS FOLLOWED FOR 1 YEAR

Absorbable polylactide screws were used for internal fixation of rotat ional acetabular osteotomy (RAO) in 28 dysplastic hips. No cast was us ed and the patients were allowed to walk with partial weight bearing 1 month after surgery. Clinical and radiographic results were evaluated after 14 (6-24) months. Union occurred in all cases within 4 months w ithout displacement of the osteotomy. No foreign-body inflammatory rea ction on radiographs was observed, nor were there any local reactions, such as redness or swelling. Polylactide screws seem to provide suffi cient strength for the internal fixation of RAO. Further observation i s necessary to identify any late foreign body reaction.