Application of transverse acetabular ligament in total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: In total hip arthroplasty (THA), the correct position of the acetabular component directly determines the outcome of the surgery, or the success of the surgery. Therefore, how to accurately locate the position of the acetabular component has become a very critical step in THA. As an important anatomical structure of the hip joint, the transverse acetabular ligament (TAL) is helpful for acetabular component orientation in THA. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate application of TAL in THA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search of PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library was performed (January and February 2023) using keywords "total hip arthroplasty," "total hip replacement," "total hip replacements," "total hip arthroplasties," "total hip prosthesis," and "transverse acetabular ligament" in all possible combinations. Reference lists of included articles were reviewed. Study design, surgical approach, patient demographics, TAL identification rate, appearance of the TAL, anteversion and inclination angle and rate of dislocations were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 19 studies met the screening criteria. Study designs were prospective cohorts (42%), retrospective cohorts (32%), Case series (21%), and randomized controlled trial (5%). Twelve of the 19 (63.2%) studies investigated the application of TAL as an anatomical landmark for locating acetabular component position in THA. Analysis revealed that TAL is a reliable anatomical landmark for acetabular component orientation within the safe zone in THA. CONCLUSIONS: TAL can reliably be used to align the acetabular component in the safe zone for anteversion and inclination in THA. However, TAL has individual variation influenced by some risk factors. More randomized controlled studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to investigate the precision and accuracy of TAL as an intraoperative landmark in THA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Early Bone Infarction With Soft-tissue Abscess.

Early bone infarction was rarely reported, and additional research is needed for diagnosis and treatment. This article aims to report the diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with unexplained early bone infarction with soft-tissue abscess and a review of related literature. A 52-year-old male patient with early bone infarction of unknown etiology and soft-tissue abscess was analyzed retrospectively. He sustained right thigh swelling and pain for 5 days and hip and knee joint dysfunction, accompanied by fever, temperature 38°C, no limb numbness, sensory disturbance, and other discomfort. On MR images, early bone infarction with local soft-tissue abscess was found. After incision and drainage of soft-tissue abscess, wound débridement, and suture, the swelling and pain of the affected limb dysfunction gradually recovered. Early bone infarction of unknown etiology with soft-tissue abscess has a low incidence. MRI is the main imaging diagnostic method. Conservative treatment is the main guard against malignant changes and surgical treatment, if necessary.