Abstract
Introduction There has been increasing interest and enthusiasm among both surgeons and patients for small incision for total hip joint replacement (THR). We conducted a prospective study to compare the early postoperative recovery following the two different incisions.
Materials and Methods 40 patients were prospectively randomised (20 patients in each group) by use of envelopes to undergo either conventional or minimal incision (MI) approach for THR between Sept. 2003 and Aug. 2004. Patients with BMI (body mass index) ≤ 30 were considered suitable for randomisation. Conventional incision was 12 cm standard posterolateral in all cases and minimal incision was defined as within 2 cm of the diameter of the contralateral uninvolved femoral head. Minimal incision was made over the posterior aspect of the greater trochanter. All procedures were performed by the senior author. The patients were assessed for operative time, blood loss, haematological parameters, wound healing, ease of mobilisation, post-operative pain, hospital stay and complications. The patients, and assessors (physiotherapists and nurses on ward) were unaware of the treatment group.
Results Average age was 66.95 years for MI group and 68.55 for conventional group (p-0.501). Average BMI for MI and conventional group was 26.5 & 24.4 respectively (p-0.029). Average pre-operative Oxford hip score was 41.75 for conventional group and 42.15 for MI group (p-0.87). There was no statistically significant difference as regards the operating times (p-0.207); post-operative day the patients were mobilised with zimmer frame (p-0.71); drop in hemoglobin (p-0.197) and hematocrit (p-0.208) or the need for blood transfusion (p-0.56). However there was a statistically significant difference in the two groups as regards post-operative pain (on a 10 point visual analogue scale) and the number of postoperative days the patient was fit for discharge. Average pain score on day 1 was 4.05 for MI group and 6.25 for conventional group (p-0.0089) with similar difference on day 2 and the day of discharge. Patients in MI group were fit for discharge on an average 1.65 days earlier than those in conventional group (p-0.042). There was no superficial or deep wound infection, dislocation or per-operative fracture in either group. Transient sciatic nerve neuropraxia occurred in one patient in the minimal incision group which recovered within 6 weeks.
Conclusion Minimal incision posterior approach for total hip replacement may be useful in decreasing the post-operative pain and duration of hospital stay. However the incidence of complications is an area of concern and needs to be studied on a larger study group.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
