The management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) requiring open reduction between 12 and 18 months of age is controversial. We compare the outcome of medial approach open reduction (MAOR) versus delayed anterior open reduction with Salter osteotomy in such patients. 17 consecutive patients who underwent MAOR aged 12–20 months were reviewed (mean follow-up of 40 months, range 6–74). This group was compared to 15 controls who underwent anterior reduction and Salter osteotomy aged 18–23 months (mean follow-up of 44 months, range 14–134). 13 of the 17 (76%) MAOR patients required subsequent Salter osteotomy at a mean of 22 months post-reduction, with a further 2 patients under follow-up being likely to require one. Acetabular index improved from 42 (32–50, SD − 5.5) to 16 (7–24, SD − 4.5) in the MOAR group after Salter osteotomy compared to an improvement of 40 (30–53, SD − 6) to 13 (4–24, SD − 5) in the control group (p>0.05). Acetabular index at last follow-up was within normal limits in 15 of 17 (88%) MAOR patients. All patients in the control group had acetabular indices (or centre-edge angles of Wiberg) within the normal range. There was 1 subluxation (7%) in the control group. There were 6 cases (33%) of post-operative avascular necrosis (5 Kalamchi & MacEwen Grade I, 1 Grade 2) in the MAOR group and 6 (40%) in the control group (5 Grade 1, 1 Grade 4). All of the MAOR patients had good or excellent clinical results according to McKay's criteria, compared to 14 out of 15 (93%) controls. This study suggests that MAOR or delayed open reduction and Salter osteotomy is a reasonable treatment for children with DDH presenting between the ages of 12 and 18 months. However, the majority of MAORs are likely to require a subsequent Salter osteotomy

Purpose of the study. This study aims to evaluate the use of closed reduction of hips with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and medial open reduction of these hips as a subsection of closed reduced hips. Methods. The study was a retrospective analysis of treatment of 30 children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). These children were taken from a consecutive series of children treated over a period from June 2000 to 2011 with closed reduction by a single surgeon. The ages at the time of diagnosis were between 1 day and 13 months (mean 5.25 weeks). Included in this series are 7 patients treated with medial open reduction, all done with the Ludloff approach. Follow up of these patients was from 8 months to 12 years (mean 5 years). All patients needing secondary procedures were noted. The X- rays were evaluated for percentage acetabulum cover in patients over the age of 8 and improvement of the acetabular index in all these patients. Results. 4 children needed secondary procedures. 1 child of the closed reduction group developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head that was treated with a Salter osteotomy and a further 2 needed secondary open reductions after redislocation following initial closed reduction. One child with bilateral open medial reductions had a Salter osteotomy 6 years after the initial treatment was done. 26 of the children had good outcomes with improvement of the acetabular angles, percentage acetabular cover and pain free independent ambulation. The average acetabular index improved from 37.5° to 23.3°. Conclusion. Closed reduction of DDH hips is a good treatment modality. Early treatment allows for acetabular and femoral development. There are minimal secondary procedures necessary after closed reduction, and open medial reduction does not increase the complication rate. NO DISCLOSURES

Method. The anteroposterior pelvic radiographs of 84 children (87 hips with developmental dysplasia) seen between 1995 and 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. Each radiograph was photographed digitally and converted to the negative using Microsoft Photo Editor. Arthrograms were also assessed at the time of femoral head reduction. The acetabular index (AI) and femoral head deformity were assessed. Acetabular response was measured using the AI at 6 and 12 months post-reduction. Results. Mean age at presentation was 11 months for the closed reduction group, versus 19 months for those with an arthrographic soft tissue obstruction requiring open reduction. Additionally, the average age of the children that underwent open reduction who later required a Salter osteotomy was 27 ± 3 months compared to an average of 14 ± 1.5 months for those who did not. The acetabular response was maximal during the first 6 months following treatment. Closed reduction (24 hips) gave comparable results to open reduction (63 hips), although the initial AI was greater in those requiring open reduction (39.5 ± 6.3° versus 36.1 ± 4.6°). Using two separate Bonferroni pairwise comparisons revealed no statistical difference in response between closed and open reduction. Arthrography revealed that hips requiring open reduction were more deformed, with spherical femoral heads in 29% as opposed to 68% in the closed reduction group. The AI was also slightly less (36.6 ± 3.2°) when the femoral head was spherical in comparison to those hips with an aspherical femoral head (38.0 ± 6.6°). Conclusion. Age at presentation and femoral head deformity therefore influence the outcome of reduction, but the acetabular index improves to a similar degree whether closed or open reduction is required

We present simple but effective retractors used in pairs to expose the sciatic notch during Salter innominate osteotomy. We have found them to be useful for a wide range of procedures requiring similar exposure. We present them here in tribute to the memory of the designer Mercer Rang