Skin Arthroplasty of the Hip

An Experimental Study in Dogs

¹ Section of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester

The rationale of interposition of skin in arthroplasty was examined.

Sixty operations were performed on thirty dogs; of these, fifty-three were arthroplastic operations, with implantation of fresh autogenous skin, or a part of it, as an interposing membrane. Six hip joints became dislocated postoperatively, leaving forty-seven technically successful operations.

The animals were observed for periods of one week to twenty-four months. It was found that skin membranes did not survive within the hip joints of dogs or contribute to formation of new articular surfaces.

Progressive formation of a new joint surface was observed in most animals. This consisted of tissue that had the morphological characteristics of fibrocartilage. Its formation occurred similarly with or without implantation of full-thickness skin or portions of skin.

It is suggested that the newly formed joint surface in these animals is derived from immature connective tissue, probably of local origin, and is dependent for its formation on the compressive force of the joint environment and on an adequate blood supply of the underlying bone.

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