JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC ORTHOPAEDICS, vol.27, no.2, pp.192-197, 2007 (SCI-Expanded)
Our hypothesis is that hips with developmental dysplasia (DDH), which fail Pavlik harness treatment and are reduced within 3 months of age, have a low rate of avascular necrosis (AVN). Inclusion criteria are as follows: diagnosis of DDH within 2 months of birth, failure of reduction or stabilization by Pavlik harness treatment, surgical reduction of the hip advised to be performed within 3 months of age, and follow-up for Salter criteria of AVN. Twenty-one consecutive cases (35 hips) met the inclusion criteria. Nineteen cases (31 hips) were initially reduced within 3 months of age, and none of these cases developed AVN. After Pavlik harness failure, initial closed reduction was achieved in 33 (94%) of 35 hips, and open reduction required in 2 (6%) of 35 hips. At latest follow-up, one (3%) of 35 hips had AVN. At the time of reporting, 1 (3%) of the 35 hips has required an additional procedure (Pemberton osteotomy) for residual dysplasia. There were 2 outlier cases (4 hips) in which the parents delayed the reduction and 1 case developed unilateral AVN, which was reduced after the proximal femoral ossification center developed at 7 months of age. The data presented in the current study support our hypothesis.