Postero-posterolateral approach in total hip arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION: Evolving surgical techniques in total hip arthroplasty (THA) have sought to make the surgical procedures safer. This requires having highly reproducible incision landmarks and simplifying the procedures. The postero-posterolateral approach, a very posterior incision in the hip, meets those requirements. However, this has not helped to reduce the post-operative dislocation rate. The aim of this study was to assess the relevance of combining the postero-posterolateral approach and next-generation dual mobility cups (DMC) in terms of dislocation risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-eight THA were performed consecutively using the postero-posterolateral approach on 150 patients, by a single surgeon, over a 49-month period (November 2010 to December 2014). All acetabular implants were impacted. RESULTS: Average length of the incision was 7 cm (6 to 9 cm). Mean duration of the surgical procedure was 75 minutes (40 to 100). Mean blood loss was estimated at 210 cc (25 to 410 cc). All patients could walk with assistance the day before transferring to a rehabilitation centre. There was one posterior dislocation (0.63%), without recurrence. CONCLUSION: The straightforwardness and reproducibility of the anatomical landmarks used for the postero-posterolateral approach, added to the stability of the dual mobility cup, result in a safe combination in the therapeutic THA arsenal.