Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Heads Following Bilateral Iliopsoas and Adductor Releases via the Medial Approach to the Hip

The medial approach to the hip is commonly used for open reduction of a congenitally dislocated hip, and cases of avascular necrosis have been reported following this operation. This approach has also been used for iliopsoas releases, but the complication of avascular necrosis has not been previously reported for this particular procedure. We present a case of bilateral avascular necrosis following bilateral iliopsoas releases in a patient with cerebral palsy. The likely etiology for the avascular necrosis of the hip was disruption of the medial femoral circumflex artery.