Abduction pillow immobilization following hip surgery: a welcome alternative for selected patients

Studies have shown that when using a spica cast following hip surgery in children , there are associated complications such as soiling, pressure sores, and osteopenic fractures.

Charts were retrospectively reviewed for all patients who had undergone hip surgeries by one surgeon at one institution between 1999 and 2005. The method of post-operative immobilization (spica cast or abduction pillow) and complications were recorded for each patient.

There was a total of 32 patients. Of these, 11—all of whom had a diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip—were treated using a spica cast. In the 21 patients treated in an abduction pillow, 4 (19%) were switched to a spica cast for the following reasons: (1) distal femoral fracture as a result of vigorous resuscitation during a choking episode, (2) parental preference, (3) for added immobilization over concern of implant loss of fixation, and (4) concern of migration of the hip, which again migrated after being changed to a spica cast and eventually required a pelvic osteotomy.

It is our opinion that only one of these complications in the children treated with an abduction pillow (the case of possible implant migration) may have been avoided if the child had originally been placed in a spica cast. The child who was successfully resuscitated after a choking incident weeks after the surgery may have had a worse outcome if it had been in a spica cast. This incident occurred at home and the abduction pillow was easily and quickly removed to allow resuscitation. An abduction pillow is a welcome alternative to a spica cast following hip surgery for many patients with neuromuscular and syndromic conditions. However, in children with osteopenic bone at risk for implant failure and in children with unstable hip reductions, a spica cast may be preferable.