Surgical Technique of Direct Anterior Approach for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Leg Positioning Traction System

INTRODUCTION: Through the use of a natural intramuscular and internervous interval, the direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been suggested to have several advantages over other popular arthroplasty approaches. The usage of DAA for THA has considerably grown in the West in recent years due to the emphasis on tissue preservation and minimally invasive joint replacements. However, due to the long learning curve, literature on this approach originating from India has been inadequate, suggesting a limited adoption of this surgical technique by the Indian diaspora of practicing surgeons. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: The DAA for THA is reliable and suitable to all conventional primary and revision THA cases. In the surgical procedure, the patient is positioned supine on the standard operating room (OR) table with the legs positioned in the Leg Positioning Traction System. The OR table may rotate, which enables the surgeon to perform the surgery more conveniently as it covers the majority of the patient’s center of gravity. The incision is made over the tensor fascia lata. After femoral neck osteotomy, the head is removed, and traction is applied to the operative leg followed by acetabular cup insertion. The femoral stem is inserted after releasing soft tissues around the proximal femur using the leg positioning traction system. Using traction, flexion, and internal rotation, the femoral head is pushed into the acetabulum at the same time, and reduction is achieved. CONCLUSION: DAA for THA technique offers patients the advantage of minimally invasive surgery compared to other approaches. Many authors have published their experiences and technical keys to successfully completing this procedure, and several variations of the procedure have been described. The approach described is implemented utilizing specifically developed instruments, including a specialized table and intraoperative fluoroscopy while employing the standard surgical incision. This article attempts to outline the authors’ technique for performing the DAA in the supine position for a primary THA using a Leg Positioning Traction System, with a focus on technical details in assisting an early DAA convert in making a safe transition.