The outcomes of treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip in children at Al-Jala hospital Benghazi, Libya

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is a common orthopedic pathology in the pediatric age group, it is a spectrum range from mild dysplasia to complete dislocation. It is crucial to detect this pathology as early as possible for a proper treatment plan. This retrospective study includes 234 hips among those 165 patients with dislocated hips received in the orthopedic department at Al-Jala Hospital Benghazi in the period 2016 - 2022.This aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes and potential complications such as avascular necrosis. Data were collected regarding the age, gender, family history, the side affected and presenting symptoms of limbing, shorting, abnormal gluteal creases. Treatment including closed reduction, hip spica, close adductor tenotomy was needed in some cases. Radiological follow up obtained and criteria for successful treatment with good outcomes were cases with concentric reduction of the femoral head to the acetabulum seen on the anterior-Posterior radiographs of the pelvis. Other patients with signs of avascular necrosis were considered as bad outcomes. The data were statistically tested using the program SPSS Statistics, Version 26. The distribution of demographic and clinical variables was expressed using means and standard deviation (SD). Fisher's Exact test used to evaluate success by presence or absence of avascular necrosis according to variables. The majority were females (88.5%). The mean age at time of surgery was 14 ±9.7 months. Family history was positive in (9%). Bilateral affection in (59%). The mean time of follow-up was 4 ± 1.9 years. Avascular necrosis was found in (5.1%) children. The type of treatment was close reduction in (87%) as a result P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. In conclusion hips managed with closed reduction, along with younger age groups (under 2 years) and female gender, demonstrated more favorable clinical outcomes.