Abstract
Aim of the study: In order to compare the short-term results of a mini-incision in primary hip replacement with the results of the standard incision we developed a prospective study with 80 patients. Forty of them had a hip replacement using a mini-incision technique, and the 40 remaining patients using a classic approach.
Methods: All the patients were treated with an anatomic non cemented stem (ABG-II, Striker). No statistical differences were found related to age, gender and weight between groups. The patients were distributed into two surgical teams according to the date of their first visit to our service. Each team develop only one kind of procedure.
Results: No differences were found related to the incidence of surgical or postoperative complications, placement of the implants and need of early rehabilitation. Patients having a mini incision were discharged from the hospital only 1 day earlier than those having a standard incision (5.6 days vs. 6.7 days). Only blood transfusion showed a significant improvement: 8% in the mini-incision group and 32% in the standard approach needed a transfusion.
Conclusions: No major improvements were found related to the use of mini-incisions in primary hip replacement. To obtain the positive clinical outcomes related to this new technique some improvements should be done in anesthetics, pain control an early rehabilitation in selected and motivated patients.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
