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RACS ASC 2026
2b or not 2? Utility of the 2-week scan post-Pavlik Harness application in children diagnosed with Graf 2b hips
Verbal Presentation

Verbal Presentation

4:28 pm

01 May 2026

River View Room 5

Environmental Sustainability in Surgery

Presentation Description

Institution: Waikato Hospital - Waikato , Aotearoa New Zealand

Purpose: Waikato Hospital has been applying the Graf method in the diagnosis and management of babies with DDH since 2022. With increasing numbers of babies being referred to our clinic as have experienced decreasing capacity to perform diagnostic ultrasound scans (USS) in a timely fashion. Therefore, our aim was to determine whether the routine 2-week ultrasound following Pavlik harness application in infants with Graf IIb hips at Waikato Hospital offers a meaningful advantage in guiding clinical management or improving outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all babies diagnosed with Graf 2b hips and treated in a Pavlik Harness at Waikato Hospital since establishing the Graf method from January 2022 – September 2025. After identifying these children manually, the 2-week check USS was examined for any disadvantageous clinical change. Results: A total of 2156 ultrasound scans were done from January 2022 – September 2025. There were 48 patients in total that were diagnosed with Graf 2b hips and 45% of patients (n=28) were diagnosed with bilateral Graf 2b hips, therefore the sample size was 62 hips. 77% of the patients were female (n= 37) and 23% were male (n=11). The average age where patients were diagnosed with Graf 2b hips was at 113 days old. The mean alpha angle at diagnosis was 56.2 and beta angle of 88.1. 14% of hips (n=9) did not receive the 2-week post-Pavlik harness application ultrasound scan and at their next follow-up there was no significant change. Of the 53 hips that received the 2-week scan, none of them demonstrated that the hips were dislocated or other clinically significant change. Conclusion: The 2-week post-Pavlik harness USS can be safely omitted. A clinical check at the 2-week mark to check the fit of the Pavlik Harness and femoral nerve function should still be done along with a follow-up USS at 4-6 weeks after harness application. This has change been implemented at our DDH clinic at Waikato Hospital.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

Ms Carissa Murugesh - , Mr Richard Willoughby -