Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty with Mini-Incision Technique: Preliminary Report

Yoon, Taek Rim; Bae, Bong Hyun; Rowe, Sung Man; Chung, Jae Yoon; Lee, Keun Bae

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the usefulness of total hip arthroplasty with the mini-incision technique (mini-incision THA) by comparing it with conventional THA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups were compared; one group received conventional THA, the other group mini-incision THA. All these patients were treated using same prosthesis. We compared the postoperative clinical and radiological results. RESULTS: Skin incisions ranging from 13 cm to 28 cm were needed for conventional THA and 5.5-9 cm for mini-incision THA. The mean operative time was 53 minutes for the conventional method and 52 minutes for the mini-incision method. Mean blood loss in mini-incisionTHA was less than in conventional THA by about 240 cc, mean length of hospital stay was shortened by 5 days. Using a 5-point scale, pain was reduced in mini-incision THA. No differences were found between the two groups in terms of the opening angle of the acetabularcomponent and the intramedullary status of the femoral stem insertion. CONCLUSION: Mini-incision THA produced better clinical results and no differences were observed in the radiological findings versus conventional THA. Mini-incision THA is believed to be a useful method of reducing the skin incision and soft tissue dissection, and permits earlyrehabilitation and increases patient satisfaction.