Shelf operation for congenital subluxation and dislocation of the hip.

One hundred forty-one shelf procedures were performed on 120 patients who had congenital hip dysplasia or dislocation. Long-term follow-up evaluation of hip function revealed that about three-fourths of the patients had satisfactory results. Although some children less than 10 years old may have benefited, this age group has the highest percentage of failures of shelf operation. The shelf procedure provides a buttress of bone for later reconstructive surgery such as cup or total hip arthroplasty.