The Bernese periacetabular osteotomy has a considerable rate of postoperative complications such as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, motor nerve palsy, heterotopic ossification, and delayed union of the ilium, which are assumed to be caused by extensive exposure or asphericity of the osteotomy surfaces. To address these issues, we developed the curved periacetabular osteotomy, a modification of the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy which limits dissection, prevents the outside of the ilium from being exposed, and produces osteotomy surfaces with the same curvature. Curved periacetabular osteotomies were done on 128 hips in 118 patients whose average age at the time of surgery was 35.2 years (range, 16-59 years). The average followup was 46 months (range, 24-99 months). The average center-edge angles were 4 degrees (range, -15 degrees -5 degrees ) preoperatively and 35 degrees (20 degrees -55 degrees ) postoperatively, and union of the iliac osteotomy was achieved in all hips. We experienced three asymptomatic pubic nonunions. Dysesthesias occurred in 27 patients along the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and symptoms resolved in 23 patients within 1 year. The average Harris hip score improved from 72 to 93 points. There were no major complications such as sciatic nerve palsy, abductor dysfunction, or heterotopic ossification.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series--no, or historical control group). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.