title: Hip arthroscopy: state of the art.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The unique anatomy of the hip is challenging, and has slowed the progress of hip arthroscopy. The aim of this review is to provide an updated synthesis of existing clinical evidence on hip arthroscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic computerized literature search was conducted by two independent reviewers using an iterative manipulation process of the keywords used singularly or in combination. The following databases were accessed on 30th November, 2009: PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/); Ovid (http://www.ovid.com); and Cochrane Reviews (http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/). Case reports, literature reviews, letters to editors and articles not including outcome measures were excluded. Twenty-three publications met the inclusion criteria and were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hip arthroscopy can provide an alternative to traditional arthrotomy with great therapeutic potential. However, the available data do not allow definitive conclusion on its routine use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It is still unclear whether arthroscopy is superior to open surgery in the management of femoroacetabular impingement and labral lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rather than providing strong evidence for or against the use of hip arthroscopy, this study generates potential areas for additional prospective investigations to evaluate the role of hip arthroscopy in clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need to perform appropriately planned and powered studies to clarify the role of arthroscopy in hip pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, Trigoria, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Umile Giuseppe
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franceschetti
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Denaro
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000293:injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy; D015838:Chondromatosis, Synovial / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D025981:Hip Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male