Pemberton osteotomy for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip in older children

A retrospective analysis was done of the results of the Pemberton osteotomy for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip in 16 hips of 14 c hildren older than 7 years. The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was 11+6 years and the average follow-up was 4+10 years. Eleven hip s required one or more surgical procedures concomitant with the Pemberton o steotomy to achieve a concentric and congruous reduction of the hip joint. None of the hips developed avascular necrosis of the acetabular fragment. T he center-edge angle improved from a preoperative average of 1 degrees to a n average of 30 degrees at the most recent follow-up. Correction of acetabu lar dysplasia was noted in 14 of the 16 hips, as demonstrated by the improv ement in the acetabular index, the center-edge angle, and the Severin class . We believe that the Pemberton osteotomy can be a safe and effective proce dure for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip in the older c hild.