Title : One-stage surgical outcomes for bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip in walking children: A retrospective case series study from the post-war era in a tertiary care hospital at Kabul, Afghanistan
Abstract:
Purpose: Bilateral surgery for developmental dysplasia of the hip in a single stage represents a significant surgical challenge. The present study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of one-stage surgical management of bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip in children after the onset of independent walking.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective case series was conducted between 2020 and 2024 at the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children in Kabul, Afghanistan. The study included 36 patients with a mean age of 32 months (range: 18-54 months), all diagnosed with bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip, accounting for a total of 72 affected hips. Postoperative functional outcomes were assessed using the modified McKay's scoring system, while radiographic evaluation was performed by measuring the acetabular index. The mean follow-up duration was 9.6 months.
Results: In this study, functional outcomes assessed by the modified McKay's criteria demonstrated excellent results in 26 cases (72%), good results in six cases (16.7%), fair results in three cases (8.3%), and poor results
in one case (3%). The mean reduction in the acetabular index between preoperative and postoperative evaluations was 13.78±3.5° for the right hips and 17.29±5° for the left hips. With respect to postoperative complications, the majority of hips (60, 83.3%) showed no adverse effects; however, subluxation occurred in three hips (4.2%), avascular necrosis of the femoral head in four hips (5.5%), and acetabular dysplasia in five hips (7%).
Conclusion: A one-stage open reduction combined with Salter's osteotomy, with femoral shortening when indicated, is recommended as an effective management strategy for bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip in children aged 1.5-4.5 years.

