Bikini Incision vs Longitudinal Incision for Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (DAA THA) traditionally involves a longitudinal incision, but a bikini incision may improve postoperative scar cosmesis and patient satisfaction while reducing wound complications. This systematic review compares the clinical outcomes and surgical complications in patients undergoing DAA THA via a bikini vs longitudinal incision. METHODS: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses-compliant search of PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE was performed to identify original articles comparing patients undergoing DAA THA via a bikini vs longitudinal incision published from 2010 to 2021. Patient demographic data and postoperative outcomes (scar appearance, patient satisfaction, functional hip scores, and complications) were collected and qualitatively evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 8 double-armed studies were included, allowing comparison of clinical outcomes of a bikini incision (n = 952) vs a longitudinal incision (n = 1361). Three out of 4 (75.0%) studies comparing postoperative scar appearance and patient satisfaction reported improvements following bikini incision, while 1 study reported comparable results between incision types. Postoperative hip function was similar between incision types in 3 of 4 (75.0%) studies comparing this outcome. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury was the most frequently reported complication following anterior THA, but rates were low overall, and most injuries resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Bikini incision appears to be a safe alternative to the traditional longitudinal incision, with similar functional hip outcomes and potentially improved cosmesis and patient satisfaction while reducing wound complications. Current evidence suggests an elevated risk of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury with bikini incision, but this needs to be confirmed in further prospective randomized studies.