Three-dimensional computed tomography analysis on bony birth canal after bilateral periacetabular osteotomy

Abstract Background Curved periacetabular osteotomy (CPO) is one of the joint preserving procedures for developmental dysplasia of the hip. CPO requires osteotomy of the medial wall of the acetabulum, which may cause narrowing of the bony birth canal and this step may result in increased risk of cesarean delivery. We analyzed the narrowest part of the bony birth canal using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) before and after bilateral CPO. Methods Between February 2007 and March 2014, there were 29 cases of bilateral CPO in which both pre- and post-operative 3D-CT were available. Transverse diameters of the pelvic inlet, contraction, outlet, expansion, and teardrop were analyzed. Among them, the narrowest part of the bony birth canal was investigated, which being smaller than the normal lower threshold value for vaginal delivery (95 mm) was considered as a risk for cesarean delivery. Results The transverse diameters of both pelvic expansion and teardrop significantly decreased after CPO (both p Conclusions Based on 3D-CT analysis, the narrowest part of the bony birth canal after bilateral CPO was the pelvic teardrop. In this study, 82.8% of the patients showed pelvic teardrop diameter greater than 95 mm, while that of the other patients (17.2%) were less than 95 mm.