Musculoskeletal Medicine and PainORIGINAL ARTICLE

Total Hip Arthroplasty: Comparison of Two-Incision and Standard Techniques at an AOA-Accredited Community Hospital

Dana R. Desser, DO; Michael F. Mitrick, DO; Slif D. Ulrich, MD; Ronald E. Delanois, MD; and Michael A. Mont, MD
Notes and Affiliations
Notes and Affiliations

Received: January 10, 2008

Accepted: September 15, 2009

Published: January 1, 2010

J Osteopath Med; 110(1): 12-15
Abstract

Context: The two-incision approach to total hip arthroplasty (THA) has received increasing attention in recent years. However, the benefits of this procedure have been debated.

Objectives: To evaluate the two-incision THA technique compared to the standard anterolateral THA approach in a community hospital setting.

Methods: A retrospective review of records from patients who had THA at Memorial Hospital of York in Pennsylvania. Outcomes for patients who received the two-incision THA technique were compared to those who had a standard anterolateral THA approach. Perioperative parameters included operation duration and complication rates. Early function was evaluated by hospital length of stay and whether patients were discharged home or to a rehabilitation center.

Results: Twenty-eight patients had 30 THAs with a two-incision technique, and 30 patients had a standard anterolateral THA. Demographic parameters were similar among both groups. The two-incision THA group had a longer mean operation time by 34 minutes but shorter hospital stay by 0.8 days. Patients in the two-incision THA group were discharged to home 87% of the time compared to 43% in the anterolateral group. In addition, 4 patients (13%) in the two-incision group had an orthopedic complication compared to no complications in the anterolateral group.

Conclusions: There were longer operative times, shorter hospital stays, and higher complication rates among patients who received the two-incision THA. Patients who receive the two-incision THA should be selected carefully and advised about the potential for increased complications.

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