The hip presents a complex topography and anatomy. Diagnostic procedures are generally not very helpful. However, direct access to the joint was made possible by the use of arthroscopy. Surgical indications for its use are becoming more frequent year after year. Usage in children is still not very common. This paper is aimed at developing an experimental model of hip arthroscopy. Damages resulting from its use in structures subjected to traction were evaluated. Twenty newborn cadavers were used to test the feasibility of the procedure. Six fetuses were used during the pilot project for the development of a research model. The remainder fourteen fetuses were used during the main study. Antero lateral and lateral ports were used for surgical access to the hip. Histomorphological studies of the hip structures were carried out in each case. Lateral and antero-lateral ports offered safe access and adequate viewing of most intra-articular anatomical structures through arthroscopy. It was not possible to see all structures through just one port. Hip arthroscopy is not an easy procedure although feasible in newborn cadavers weighing more than 1700 g. No macroscopic or histological lesions were identified in fetuses submitted to traction of up to 88 N.
Arthroscopy; Hip; Cadaver; Newborn
