Langenskiold's transfer of the ilio psoas in the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip [SULLA TRASPOSIZIONE DELL'ILEO PSOAS SECONDO LANGENSKIOLD NELLA RIDUZIONE CRUENTA DELLA L.C.A.]

The results obtained in 228 open reductions of congenital dislocation of the hip using a Langenskiold modified technique are compared with those observed in 192 open reductions performed with simple lengthening of the ilio psoas muscle. The clinical and roentgenographic followup ranged 2 to 10 yr postoperatively. The reported results indicate that the transfer of the ilio psoas favors the stable reduction allowing an almost complete absence of recurrence of the dislocation. The osteochondrosis following open reduction was significantly lower in the case operated on with the Langenskiold technique (17%) in comparison with those of simple open reduction (30%). Moreover, the transfer of the ilio psoas changes its function from external to internal rotator, this favoring the physiological derotation of the femoral antiverted neck. This is indicated by the lower percentage of postreduction femoral osteotomies (11.5%) as compared with 14.5% in the usual open reductions. The roentgenograms with the Dunlap technique showed an anteversion angle below 30° in 69% of the cases of the first group, and in 49% of the second group.