Does Powered Femoral Broaching Compromise Patient Safety in Total Hip Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: During manual broaching (MB) in total hip arthroplasty (THA), off-axis forces delivered to the proximal femur and broach malalignment can lead to fractures and cortical perforations. Powered broaching (PB) is a novel alternative that delivers consistent impaction forces and reduces workload. This is the first large-scale study to compare intraoperative and 90-day rates of periprosthetic femur fractures (PFFs) and perforations in THA performed using MB vs PB. METHODS: Our institutional database was reviewed for all patients undergoing primary cementless direct anterior THA from 2016 to 2021. Three surgeons performing 2048 THAs (MB = 800; PB = 1248) using the same stem design were included. PFFs and perforations within 90 days of the index procedure were compared. Differences in length of surgery and demographics were assessed. RESULTS: Calcar fractures occurred in <1% of patients (PB [0.96%, 12/1248] vs MB [0.25%, 2/800]; P = .06). Rates of trochanteric fractures did not differ (PB = 0.32% [4/1248] vs MB = 0.38% [3/800]; P = .84). Cortical perforations occurred in 0.24% (3/1248) of the PB cohort and in 0.75% (6/800) of the MB cohort (P = .09). No revisions due to aseptic loosening or PFF occurred within 120 days of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our single-center experience with powered femoral broaching in THA demonstrates PB is a safe and efficient means of performing direct anterior THA. Low rates (<1%) of PFF, perforation, and revision can be achieved. Given our positive experience with PB, all surgeon authors utilize PB nearly exclusively for elective primary direct anterior THA.