[Traumatic hip dislocations and acetabular fractures in children].

This paper concerns 39 children, 15 with dislocation of the hip, 8 with acetabular fracture and 16 in which both lesions occurred together. The three types of lesion each had a different outcome. The results were good in 86 p. 100 of the isolated dislocations treated conservatively. They were good in 75 p. 100 of acetabular fractures, only one of which was operated on. The results were good in 50 p. 100 of cases with both lesions. Five cases were operated on to restore a congruent and adequate acetabulum. The overall rate of complications was 20 p. 100 and were mainly post-traumatic degenerative arthritis (2 cases), destruction of the triradiate cartilage (1 case), necrosis of the femoral head (2 cases due to separation of the femoral epiphysis). Seventy per cent of the patients finally had a satisfactory result. However, the risks of development of a late degenerative arthritis are high. These children should be followed up for a long period of time.