Incomplete triple pelvic osteotomy for the surgical treatment of dysplasia of the hip in adolescents and adults.

We treated 26 hips (24 consecutive patients) with residual dysplasia by a technique of incomplete triple pelvic osteotomy. The mean age of the patients was 21.6 years. The mean values for the pre-operative centre-edge angle of Wiberg, the refined centre-edge angle, the acetabular angle of Sharp, the modified acetabular angle and femoral head lateralisation were 7.7 degrees, -3.1 degrees, 49.3 degrees, 53.2 degrees and 17.2 mm, respectively. After a mean follow-up of 3.3 years they were 27.0 degrees, 13.0 degrees, 38.9 degrees, 44.3 degrees and 15.9 mm, respectively (p < 0.05). The osteoarthritic grading changed adversely in one hip. The mean pre-operative and latest Harris hip scores were 74.9 and 93.0, respectively (p < 0.05). This technique provides a stable osteotomy with maintenance of the posterior column which allows early mobilisation and minimal internal fixation. The technique is not complex and requires minimal blood transfusion. The use of an image intensifier is not necessary and harvesting of a subcristal bone graft avoids post-operative complications at the donor site.