Abstract
Background
Subtrochanteric femoral shortening and corrective osteotomy are considered to be an integral part of total hip arthroplasty for a completely dislocated hip or severe deformity of the proximal femur. A number of alternative femoral osteotomy techniques, transverse, oblique, step-cut, and V-shaped, have been described. Becker and Gustilo reported the “double-chevron subtrochanteric shortening derotational femoral osteotomy,” which is reasonable in that the osteotomy site is torsionally more stable and can be stabilized with a shorter stem. We have simplified this procedure, and performed it without a trochanteric osteotomy. We describe a simplified double-chevron osteotomy and provide the clinical results from a series of 22 successful procedures.
Methods
In this series, we performed 22 cementless total hip arthroplasties combined with double-chevron subtrochanteric osteotomies between 1997 and 2002. There were 17 females and 2 males. Their average age at the time of the operation was 59 years old (range, 41–74 years old). Thirteen of these hips were congenitally dislocated hips (Crowe IV), and 8 hips were after proximal femoral osteotomies using a procedure described by Schanz or valgus osteotomy, and 1 hip was an ankylosed hip in malposition.
Results
The mean length of the operation was 128 minutes (range, 80–215 minutes). The mean total blood loss was 1442 g (range, 809–2007 g), which included both the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative blood loss. After an average of 7.6 years of follow-up, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Score improved from 48 to 79.
The mean amount of intraoperative femoral resection was 29 mm (range, 10–45 mm). The postoperative highest point of the greater trochanter was lowered by a mean of 50 mm (range, 6–74 mm) compared with its preoperative point on the radiograph. The calculated measurement (lowered greater trochanter minus intraoperative femoral resection) of leg lengthening was a mean 21 mm (range, −4–51 mm). Two acetabular component migrated, and one case required revision surgery. The other components showed no evidence of migration or loosening. There were radiolucent lines of less than 2 mm thickness in zones 1, 2, and 3 in one acetabular as previously mentioned revision case. One femoral component had subsidence 3 mm. Four femoral components had radiolucencies. One osteotomy site failed union and was varus deformity. After 6 years after the operation, the case required revision using cementless long stem. All femoral components achieved fixation with an optimal interface at the latest follow-up. Three types of complications were observed. There were no cases of neurologic abnormality, infection. There were 4 early dislocations, 3 proximal splits, and 1 nonunion at the osteotomy site. All femoral fragment fractures during the operation and all dislocations after the operation were in the Crowe IV group.
Conclusions
Our study shows that double-chevron subtrochanteric osteotomy provided acceptable results for subtrochanteric femoral shortening and corrective osteotomy. The operation procedure is simple and the operation time is much shorter. However, THA combined with subtrochanteric osteotomy is a technically demanding treatment option.
