Abstract
Introduction: Recent studies have shown that Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacements (MISTHRs) have not reduced hospital stay. We seek to demonstrate the importance of infrastructure allowing early mobilisation and discharge thereby gaining the full benefits of MISTHRs.
We compared the early outcomes of 2 units where MISTHRs were carried out by the same surgical teams but had 2 different infrastructure set-ups. In the first unit a “Short Stay Programme” (SSP) was in place. This involved early pre-operative assessment by medical, physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams. Post-operative analgesia was augmented with the use of a pain pump administering local anaesthetic as a continuous infusion. Patients were mobilised at 4 hours after surgery and were supported in the community by an “Outreach Team”. In the second unit the patients had MISTHRs without changes to the conventional infrastructure.
Methods: One surgeon carried out all operations, at 2 different hospitals using a mini-posterior approach with specific minimally-invasive instrumentation. Uncemented ABG II prostheses were used. Hospital discharge was only achieved after specific criteria were fulfilled.
Discussion: A significant reduction in the length of stay of MISTHRs patients is achieved by the Short Stay Programme, with no difference in complications. The full advantages of MISTHRs are achieved only if the whole aim of the care pathway is to facilitate early, supported discharge. Trouble-shooting pre-operatively, effective analgesia and post-operative support are the key elements of this programme.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr John Hodgkinson, BHS, c/o BOA, The Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
