Pelvic osteotomies: anatomic pitfalls at the ischium

Abstract

Pelvic osteotomies for acetabular dysplasia include an osteotomy of the ischium. The potential anatomical hazards of three different osteotomies of the ischium were assessed by performing a triple osteotomy in a series of 8 fresh cadaver pelvises. An oblique osteotomy above the sacrospinous ligament using a posterior approach requires that the inferior gluteal and pudendal neurovascular bundles be mobilised and retracted. A transverse osteotomy below the sacrospinous ligament using a posterior approach can be performed in a relatively safe area between the pudendal and sciatic nerves. A transverse osteotomy from anterior can be performed through a modified Smith Peterson approach. The pudendal nerve medially, the sciatic nerve laterally and the medial circumflex artery distally are not visualised and are prone to damage.