Adductor release in nonambulant children with cerebral palsy.

Historically, nonambulatory children with cerebral palsy represent a "group at risk" for spastic hip dislocation. We reviewed the effectiveness of adductor release and anterior obturator neurectomy in treating 86 hips at risk in 50 nonambulatory children. Results were judged by comparing the migration percentages measured on the preoperative, early postoperative, and final postoperative radiographs. Adductor release succeeded in preventing hip dislocation and obviating the need for further surgery in 80% of cases. Patients with preoperative uncoverage exceeding 50% were found to be at greater risk for deterioration of femoral head coverage despite adductor release. Unilateral adductor release had a negative effect on the nonoperated hip.