Direct Anterior Approach Using Navigation Improves Accuracy of Cup Position Compared to Conventional Posterior Approach

The accuracy of cup position in total hip arthroplasty is essential for a satisfactory result as malpositioning increases the risk of complications including dislocation, high wear rate, loosening, squeaking, edge loading, impingement and ultimately failure. We studied 166 patients in a single-surgeon-series of matched cohorts of patients who underwent total hip arthroplasties. Four separate groups were identified comprising of the posterior approach +/- navigation and the direct anterior approach +/- navigation. We found a significant difference between the direct anterior navigated group and the posterior non-navigated group for both anteversions (P < 0.05, confidence interval (CI) -3.86 to -1.73) and inclination (P < 0.05, CI -3.08 to -1.08). Almost, 72% of anterior navigated patients fell within 5(o) of the navigation software set target cup position of 45(o) inclination and 20(o) anteversion and 100% were within 10(o). Only 30% of posterior non-navigated were within 5(o) of both anteversion and inclination and 73% were within 10(o). There was also a significant difference between the direct anterior navigated and non-navigated group with respect to anteversion only (p < 0.05, CI 1.50 to 1.30). There were no other significant differences between approaches +/- navigation. The direct anterior approach allows ease of access to both anterior-superior iliac spines for navigation and a supine patient allows anteversion and inclination to be measured in the frontal plane. We conclude that the direct anterior approach with navigation improves the accuracy of cup position compared to the conventional posterior approach without navigation.