The value of acetabular transverse ligament and acetabular notch as reference for the positioning of acetabular prosthesis in hip arthroplasty

Objective To observe the value of the fixation of acetabular prosthesis using acetabular transverse ligament and acetabular notch as reference in hip arthroplasty. Methods Eighty-three cases undergoing elective hip arthroplasty were enrolled and divided into the observation group （n = 42） and control group （n = 41） according to the method of acetabular prosthesis positioning. In the observation group, acetabular prosthesis positioning using acetabular transverse ligament and acetabular notch as the reference was employed. In the control group, visual positioning of acetabular prosthesis by the positioning rod was adopted. The abduction angle and anteversion angle were measured and assessed whether they were located in the safe zone in two groups. The coincidence rate between the rotation center of hip prosthesis and its anatomical rotation center was statistically compared between two groups. The incidence rate of dislocation of hip joint and Harris scores of hip joint before and after operation were evaluated. Results The proportion of patients with an abduction angle and anteversion angle in the safe zone and the coincidence rate between the rotation center of hip prosthesis and its anatomical rotation center in the observation group were significantly higher compared with those in the control group （all P < 0.05）. All patients in two groups achieved stage I healing. No dislocation of the hip joint occurred in the observation group, and 4 patients （10%） experienced the hip joint dislocation in the control group with no statistical significance （P > 0.05）. Preoperative Harris scores of the hip joint did not significantly differ between two groups （P > 0.05）. Postoperatively, Harris scores tended to increase in both groups. Harris scores at postoperative 1 week, 1- and 3-month in the observation group were considerably higher than those in the control group （all P < 0.05）, respectively. Conclusions The positioning of acetabular prosthesis using acetabular transverse ligament and acetabular notch as reference is an effective method in hip arthroplasty, which can guarantee the placement of acetabular prosthesis in a safe zone and facilitate the early recovery of hip function.