Awareness and use of intertrochanteric osteotomies in current clinical practice. An international survey

Current literature shows that intertrochanteric osteotomies can produce excellent results in selected hip disorders in specific groups of patients. However, it appears that this surgical option is considered an historical one that has no role to play in modern practice. In order to examine current awareness of and views on intertrochanteric osteotomies among international hip surgeons, an online survey was carried out. The survey consisted of a set of questions regarding current clinical practice and awareness of osteotomies. The second part of the survey consisted of five clinical cases and sought to elicit views on preoperative radiological investigations and preferred (surgical) treatments. The results of our survey showed that most of these experts believe that intertrochanteric osteotomies should still be performed in selected cases. Only 56% perform intertrochanteric osteotomies themselves and of those, only 11% perform more than five per year. The responses to the cases show that about 30–40% recommend intertrochanteric osteotomies in young symptomatic patients. This survey shows that the role of intertrochanteric osteotomies is declining in clinical practice

Long-term results of intertrochanteric varus osteotomy for dysplastic osteoarthritis of the hip

The beneficial role of intertrochanteric varus or valgus osteotomy in the treatment of hip osteoarthrosis has been recognised since the 1920s. Even today, it has an important role to delay the need for hip replacement in younger patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of intertrochanteric varus osteotomy for dysplastic osteoarthritis of the hip. Between 1980 and 1995, 52 hips with dysplastic osteoarthritis underwent an intertrochanteric varus osteotomy. All patients could be followed up after 17.8 years. Radiographic assessment included centre-edge (CE) angle of Wiberg and collodiaphyseal (CCD) angle. Dysplastic hip dislocation was classified according to Crowe. Osteoarthritis was graded according to Tönnis. Preoperative osteoarthritis was Tonnis grade 1 in 19 hips, grade 2 in 28 and grade 3 in five. Complications were also documented. Clinical evaluation included score according to Merle d’Aubigné, Harris Hip Score and range of motion. Six of 52 patients underwent total hip replacement (THR) within five years after intertrochanteric osteotomy. In these cases, preoperative osteoarthritis was grade 3 in four cases and grade 2 in one case according to Tönnis. Twenty-five of 52 patients underwent THR after an interval of five to ten years after intertrochanteric osteotomy. In these cases, preoperative osteoarthritis was grade 3 in one case and grade 2 in 24 cases according to Tönnis. Sixteen of 52 patients underwent THR after an interval of ten to 15 years after intertrochanteric osteotomy. In these cases, preoperative osteoarthritis was grade 2 in four cases and grade 1 in 12 cases according to Tönnis. In five patients the hip was functioning well after a period longer than 15 years. In all these cases osteoarthritis was grade 1 according to Tönnis. In 40.4% of patients, THR was delayed longer than ten years. The osteotomy performed well at a mean time of 9.7 years after the procedure (range 3–21). Intertrochanteric varus osteotomy for dysplastic osteoarthritis of the hip should be considered in early or mild osteoarthritic changes of the hip. Good prognosis with delay of THR of more than ten years can be expected to exceed 40%, even when indications are less than optimum