Sex differences in uterine artery Doppler during gestation in pregnancies complicated by placental dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence of sex differences in placental vascular development. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of fetal sex on uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) throughout gestation in a cohort of normal and complicated pregnancies. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 240 pregnant women. Pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound of the proximal uterine arteries was performed at a 4-weekly interval between 14 and 40 weeks of gestation. The patients were classified retrospectively as normal or complicated (one or more of maternal preeclampsia, preterm birth, or small for gestational age). To assess if the change in uterine artery PI during gestation differed between normal and complicated pregnancies and between fetal sexes, the uterine artery PI was modeled using a linear function of gestational age and the rate of change was estimated from the slope. RESULTS: While the uterine artery PI did not differ over gestation between females and males for normal pregnancies, the trajectory of this index differed by fetal sex for pregnancies complicated by either preeclampsia, preterm birth, or fetal growth restriction (p < 0.0001). The male fetuses in the complicated pregnancy group had an elevated slope compared to the other groups (p < 0.0001), suggesting a more progressive deterioration in uteroplacental perfusion over gestation. CONCLUSIONS: The uterine artery PI is widely used to assess uteroplacental function in clinical settings. The observation that this metric changes more rapidly in complicated pregnancies where the fetus was male highlights the importance of sex when interpreting hemodynamic markers of placental maturation

Total hip arthroplasty with acetabular reconstruction using a bulk autograft for patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip results in high loosening rates at mid-term follow-up

PURPOSE: Managing a deficient acetabulum in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) can be challenging. The purpose of the study was to determine the mid-term results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a bulk structural autograft for reconstruction of the acetabular roof in patients with DDH. METHODS: Between 1982 and 1999, 112 patients underwent THA with acetabular roof-plasty using a bulk structural autograft for secondary osteoarthritis related to DDH. A total of 106 patients (115 hips) met inclusion criteria and were followed for an average of 11.6 years (seven to 24 years). The mean age was 52.5 years at the index operation. Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed according to the methods of Merle d'Aubigne and Postel, Johnston et al. and DeLee and Charnley. RESULTS: The overall Merle d'Aubigne hip score significantly improved (3.7 vs 10.4, p < 0.01). The limb length discrepancy decreased from 30 to 6 mm (p < 0.01). The average distance that the hip centre was distalised was 22.3 mm (0-56 mm). However, radiolucent lines were observed in 27 % of patients at final follow-up, and the overall rate of revision for aseptic loosening was 16 %. Further, Kaplan-Meier survivorship curves predicted a rapid increase in the failure rate at 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: The mid-term functional outcome of THA with an acetabular roof-plasty using a bulk autograft is satisfactory; however, the long-term results are questionable

Total hip arthroplasty for developmental hip dysplasia

We reviewed 38 hip replacements in 33 female patients (mean age 55.3 years) with developmental hip dysplasia. One patient had died and the remaining 32 patients (36 hips) had a mean follow-up of 12.2 years (range 8–19 years). All hips were replaced using the Müller cemented implant, and in 32 hips bulk femoral head autograft was used. In 33 hips the socket was reconstructed at the level of the true acetabulum. Complications included one intra-operative femoral fracture and two early dislocations. Correction of leg length discrepancy was possible in 30 patients. The post-operative mean modified Merle d’Aubigne and Postel scores for pain, movement and walking were 5.9, 5, and 5.3 respectively. One cup was revised due to aseptic loosening at ten years. All grafts united, but minor graft resorption was noticed in 24 hips, moderate in 2 hips and major in 1 hip