Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyze changes seen on X-ray of the acetabular index, Wiberg’s angle, Sharp’s angle and the continuity of Shenton’s line after osteotomy performed by means of the Dega technique in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 72 histories of children that underwent surgery performed using the Dega technique at the Niño Jesús Hospital over the last 15 years. We measured the rupture of the Shenton line, the acetabular index, Wiberg’s centre-edge angle and Sharp’s acetabular angle preoperatively; and then approximately 1 year after surgery and at the last X-ray control in the medical history.
Results: The acetabular index changed from 33° preoperatively to 24° one year after surgery. At the last X-ray control the acetabular index was 23°. Wiberg’s centre-edge angle is normalized by osteotomy, and changed from 6° preoperatively to 20° after surgery. At the last X-ray it was 23°. However, Sharp’s acetabular angle only suffered slight modifications. It changed from 50° to 48° with surgery.
Discussion and Conclusions: The Dega osteotomy is an effective technique to provide acetabular coverage in hips suffering from dysplasia before the closure of the triradiate cartilage. Both the acetabular index and Wiberg’s angle vary significantly with surgery, and become normalized in most cases. This correction is stable over time. However, the same cannot be said for Sharp’s acetabular angle which barely changes with osteotomy.
The abstracts were prepared by E. Carlos Rodríguez-Merchán, Editor-in-Chief of the Spanish Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (Revista Española de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología). Correspondence should be addressed to him at: Sociedad Española de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, calle Fernández de los Ríos 108, 28015-Madrid, Spain