Abstract
The mini exposure in THR is currently a very trendy issue in reconstructive surgery.
Purpose: We present our initial experience with the posterior mini exposure.
Materials and method 32 patients from February to August 2004 have been submitted to mini THR.
23 patients were female and 9 were male, with mean age 64 years (34 – 72 years).
The exposure was posterior; the incision length was at a mean of 8 cm (7 – 10 cm). In 30 cases we used the SYNERGY THR, in 1 case the ZIMMER and in 1 case the DURALOC-SUMIT (DePuy) THR. All cases were without cement.
Special retractors for mini procedures were used in 26 out of the 32 operations, whereas classic retractors were used in the rest.
Results: We observed a substantial reduction in morbidity with less postoperative blood loss in the drains (a mean of 200 cc), fewer analgesics were used than usual and mobilization of the patients was faster.
All the patients were mobilized by the 2nd postoperative day and released from the hospital by the 4–6th day postoperative day. Radiologically there was no case of components malpositioning.
Conclusion: The mini posterior exposure THR is feasible for the experienced hip surgeon; it has many advantages while none of the technical problems and disadvantages of the minimal two incision exposure.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
