[Satisfactory results of shelf arthroplasty in hip dysplasia and in dysplasia with arthritis].

Between 1969 and 1987, 30 shelf arthroplasties were performed in 28 patients for the treatment of dysplasia and dysplastic arthrosis of the hip in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University Hospital of Groningen. Twenty-two patients, of whom 2 were treated bilaterally, were free of complaints after a mean follow-up period of 7.25 years (2-20 years). Twenty-three cases could be classified as clinically successful and 19 of the 30 as radiologically successful. The shelf operation is a safe and relatively simple procedure and for cases of acetabular dysplasia creates a better situation for total hip replacement in later life.