A modified two-incision technique for primary total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery can be technically demanding but minimizes surgical trauma, pain and recovery. Two-incision minimally invasive surgery allows only intermittent visualization and may require fluoroscopy for implant positioning. We describe a modified technique for primary total hip arthroplasty, using two small incisions with a stepwise approach and adequate visualization to reliably and reproducibly perform the surgery without fluoroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and two patients with an average age of 60 years underwent modified two-incision minimally invasive technique for primary THA without fluoroscopy. The M/L taper femoral stem (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) and Trilogy (Zimmer) hemispherical titanium shell, with a highly cross-linked polyethylene liner, was used. Operative time, blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, radiographic outcomes and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 77 min. The mean blood loss was 335 cc. The mean hospital stay was 2.4 days. Mean cup abduction angle was 43.8°. Mean leg length discrepancy was 1.7 mm. Thirteen patients had lateral thigh numbness and two patients had wound complications that resolved without any treatment. CONCLUSION: A modified two-incision technique without fluoroscopy for primary total hip arthroplasty has the advantage of preserving muscles and tendons, shorter recovery and return to function with minimal complications. Provided that the surgeon has received appropriate training, primary total hip arthroplasty can be performed safely with the modified two-incision technique.