Hip arthroplasty in patients with high hip dislocation using a device for shortening subtrochanteric osteotomy of the femur

Introduction Hip joint arthroplasty combined with shortening osteotomy is a technically difficult surgical intervention. Transection of the femur is possible both with the free-hand method and with the use of special devices. Purpose To evaluate the efficiency of using a special device for shortening osteotomy in total hip arthroplasty in comparison with the operations performed without an osteotomy guide. Materials and methods There were 16 hip replacement surgeries that included shortening osteotomy performed in patients with high dislocation of the femur. The group was divided into 2 subgroups: the study subgroup (8 cases), in which a special device was used for osteotomy, and the control subgroup (8 cases). We used clinical and radiographic study methods, and assesssed the Harris Hip Score (HHS) before and after treatment. Results Duration of the intervention and intraoperative blood loss in the first subgroup were shorter than in the control group but the difference was not statistically significant. The mean HHS increased significantly in the whole group. The midterm HHS in the study subgroup was 85.4 ± 1.9 points, which slightly differed from the control (81.9 ± 1.2 points). The mean follow-up period was 40 ± 8 months. There were two cases of nonunion in the osteotomy site and one case of transient sciatic neuropathy. Two patients with nonunion of the femoral fragments were treated by plating and bone grafting. Conclusion The use of a special device for subtrochanteric osteotomy technically simplifies the arthroplasty procedure in patients with high dislocation of the femur, shortens the operation time and reduces blood loss.