Complications in hip arthroscopy

Hip arthroscopy is being recognized as a valuable additional procedure in the treatment of disorders of this joint. Although initially employed as a diagnostic tool only, better understanding of the anatomy involved and advanced skills have now made surgical treatment possible. Because the techniques are still evolving, a standardized approach is just being established. Little is known on possible complications associated with the procedure, concentrating in most cases on the neurovascular structures at risk during instrument introduction. This study reports on 19 patients in whom three complications were encountered. Two were attributable to positioning problems of the patients, and one was caused by intraoperative extravasation of irrigation fluids. The available literature on complications in hip arthroscopy is being reviewed, and the prevention of complications as experienced in this series is being discussed.