Complications of arthroscopy of the hip

Although arthroscopy of the hip is being carried out increasingly, little i s known, about the rate of associated complications. We describe a prospect ive study of 640 consecutive procedures in which a consistent technique was used. The overall complication rate was 1.6%, Complications, none of which was major or long-term, included transient palsy of the sciatic and femora l nerves, perineal injury, bleeding from the portal wounds, trochanteric bu rsitis and intra-articular breakage of the instrument. We believe that it i s possible to undertake this operation safely using the technique described .