Intraosseous Tunneling and Ligamentum Teres Ligamentodesis "Teretization" to Enhance Stability in Congenital Hip Dislocation Surgery: Surgical Technique and Mid-Term Outcomes.

Abstract

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) with complete dislocation (grade ≥III) in older patients often requires open reduction. However, achieving long-term stability remains challenging. This study introduces and evaluates a novel surgical technique, intraosseous tunneling and ligamentodesis of the ligamentum teres (LT), conceived to enhance postoperative hip stability while preserving the ligament's anatomic course. Pediatric patients with grade ≥III DDH, as classified by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI), underwent open reduction using a novel ligamentum teres ligamentodesis technique to enhance joint stability. The ligament was detached, sutured, and tunneled intraosseously from the fovea to the greater trochanter, then anchored to the periosteum. Postoperative evaluation included gait status, pain, hip range of motion, reluxation, residual dysplasia, avascular necrosis (AVN), physeal bars, growth arrest, complications, and need for reintervention. Nineteen hips in 16 patients (14 females, 2 males) with a median age of 24 months underwent LT intraosseous ligamentodesis combined with femoral and pelvic osteotomies. At a median follow-up of 23 months, all patients were pain-free, had normal gait, and no functional limitations, except for one case of persistent limping and one hip with mild limitation of abduction. Radiographically, all hips achieved satisfactory outcomes with IHDI type I, and severing grades I (80%) and II (20%). No cases of redislocation, dysplasia, infection, physeal bars, or growth arrest were observed. Two hips (10.5%) developed asymptomatic AVN. The ligamentum teres intraosseous ligamentodesis ("Teretization") is a safe and technically feasible adjunct to open reduction in severe DDH, demonstrating favorable mid-term outcomes with no redislocations and low complication rates. These findings support its potential role in enhancing hip stability without jeopardizing femoral head physis and vascularity. Level IV-therapeutic case series. This study evaluates a novel surgical technique in a series of patients with congenital hip dislocation without a control group.