The direct lateral approach for total hip arthroplasty has the lowest risk of mechanical complications, according to research published in the Journal of Arthroplasty.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study of 16,186 total hip arthroplasties performed between 2010 and 2016. The researchers focused on surgeries performed using the direct anterior, direct lateral or posterolateral approach, identifying all mechanical complications within the first two years.
The key details to know:
1. Comparing all approaches, the risk for mechanical complications was highest in the direct anterior and posterolateral approaches.
2. The adjusted instability risk within two years was 0.17 percent, 0.74 percent and 1.74 percent for the direct lateral, direct anterior and posterolateral approaches, respectively.
3. Researchers concluded, "Even with soft tissue repair, instability continues to occur with increased frequency with the posterolateral approach. While reducing dislocation, a higher risk of femoral failure with direct anterior must also be considered. Nevertheless, the direct lateral approach appears to confer the lowest overall risk for mechanical complications."
Read the full study here.