Outcomes After Salter and Pemberton Osteotomies for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Children: A Descriptive Retrospective Cohort

Background/Objectives: Salter and Pemberton osteotomies are distinct reconstructive procedures used for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). This study descriptively characterized outcomes after both procedures without estimating comparative effectiveness.

Methods

This single-center retrospective cohort included 50 children (67 operated hips) aged 18–72 months treated from 2017 to 2020: 47 hips underwent Salter osteotomy, and 20 underwent Pemberton osteotomy. Because treatment allocation was nonrandom, baseline severity was incompletely recorded, and 17 children contributed bilateral hips, outcomes were summarized descriptively.

Results

Mean acetabular index decreased from 44.5 ± 9.9° to 19.0 ± 5.8° after Salter osteotomy and from 43.7 ± 7.5° to 21.5 ± 4.0° after Pemberton osteotomy. Modified McKay grades I–II were recorded in 72.3% and 80.0% of hips, respectively, and Severin grades I–II in 78.7% and 85.0%. Concomitant femoral osteotomy was performed in 17.0% and 50.0% of hips. Three superficial infections and six subtrochanteric femoral fractures were recorded in the Salter group.