Minimally Invasive versus Classic Procedures in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

• Published in: Clinical orthopaedics and related research Vol. 469; no. 1; pp. 200 - 208
• Main Authors: Goosen, Jon H. M., Kollen, Boudewijn J., Castelein, René M., Kuipers, Bart M., Verheyen, Cees C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.01.2011; Springer; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Aged; Analysis of Variance; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - adverse effects; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - methods; Biological and medical sciences; Chi-Square Distribution; Clinical Research; Conservative Orthopedics; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Double-Blind Method; Female; Hip; Hip Joint - diagnostic imaging; Hip Joint - physiopathology; Hip Joint - surgery; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Netherlands; Orthopedic surgery; Orthopedics; Radiography; Recovery of Function; Reoperation; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sports Medicine; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgical Orthopedics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Anterolateral Incision; Thigh Circumference; Posterior Approach Group; Fondaparinux; Curve Ruler; Hip prosthesis; Orthopedic surgery; Treatment; Orthopedics; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0009-921X; 1528-1132
• DOI: 10.1007/s11999-010-1331-7

Background For total hip arthroplasty (THA), minimally invasive surgery (MIS) uses a smaller incision and less muscle dissection than the classic approach (CLASS), and may lead to faster rehabilitation. Questions/purposes Does minimally invasive hip arthroplasty result in superior clinical outcomes? Patients and Methods In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 120 consecutive primary noncemented THAs in 120 patients were assigned to one of two groups (MIS or CLASS). The randomization sequence was stratified for two groups of surgeons, ie, those using a posterolateral approach (PL-CLASS or PL-MIS) and those using an anterolateral approach (AL-CLASS or AL-MIS). Length of the incisions was 18 cm for the CLASS procedures. MIS incisions were extended at the skin level to 18 cm at the end of the procedure. The primary end point was the Harris hip score (HHS) at 6 weeks postoperatively. Patient-centered questionnaires were obtained preoperatively and after 6 weeks and 1 year. Results For the patients in the MIS group (average 7.8 cm incision length), statistically significant increased mean HHSs were seen compared with the CLASS group at 6 weeks and 1 year. This difference was small and mainly caused by the favorable results of the PL-MIS. In the MIS group, surgical time was longer. A learning curve was observed based on operation time and complication rate. Although not statistically significant, the perioperative complication rate was rather high in the (anterolateral) MIS group. Conclusions The minimal invasive approach in THA did not show a clinically relevant superior outcome in the first postoperative year. Level of Evidence Level I, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.