U-shaped hip capsular incision: An easier way to do hip capsulorrhaphy in developmental dysplasia of the hip – Technical note

Abstract

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common hip anomalies encountered in pediatric patients. Stabilization of the femoral head into the acetabulum is crucial for normal hip joint development. When surgical intervention is decided, open reduction is needed to remove any obstacle that hinders hip reduction. Capsulorraphy is an essential step for minimizing instability of the hip after reduction. The classic T-shaped capsular incision is done by two incisions: vertical limb parallel to femoral neck axis and a transverse one parallel to the inguinal ligament 5 mm distally to proximal capsular attachment. The cumbersomeness of this technique was noticed in suturing of the resulted two flabs from this incision. So, the suggested U-shaped incision makes suturing of the capsule easier with multiple stitches.