[Pauwels' linear osteotomy or alloplasty in pseudarthrosis of the femur neck].

Non-unions of the neck of the femur are still observed today in spite of all the improvements which have been made in the surgical treatment of median fractures of the neck of the femur. Linear osteotomy according to Pauwels is technical relatively simple to perform and yields good results. Such linear osteotomy is performed in children and young adults only even if the head of the femur is not rounded. Indication for alloplasty is now more liberal even in relatively young adults since cement-free implantation of total prostheses has proved successful. Indication for performing replacement of the head alone, is very rare. Palliative measures, such as Girdlestone or resection angulation osteotomy are performed in our patients subsequent to septic complications only.