Abstract
Background
Between 1999 and August 2005, we performed Direct Lateral Approach (DLA) in lateral decubitus position as the main approach for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). After August 2005, we introduced Direct Anterior Approach(DAA) in supine position. Intraoperative target orientation in primary THA was planned in 40–45°cup abduction, 10–20°cup anteversion, and 10–20° stem anteversion. Precice implant positioning has been considered to be very important for postoperative function and stability. The purpose of this study was to compare the DLA and DAA for implant positioning accuracy.
Methods
From 1999 to July 2009, we performed 566 primary THAs(78 male, 488 female). The subjects were divided into two groups of 224 DLA and 342 DAA (72 in early stage and 270 in late stage) The difference of the mean age at surgery and preoperative diagnosis among the groups were not significant. We planned to set the cup anteversion at 20°in DAA early stage and 12.5°in late stage DAA due to the development of postoperative dislocation in several cases with early stage DAA. We measured the cup and stem alignment postoperatively using radiography and computed tomography, and measured the combined anteversion angle by Widmer. Statistical analysis was done using the Bartlett Statistical Test and F-test. The results were expressed as median and interquartile range, with an alpha level set at less than 0.05.
Results
Cup abduction angle with DLA was 42.7±6.25 °(average±standard deviation), 42.1±4.1°with early stage DAA and 41.9±5.3°with late stage DAA. There was no significant difference between the approaches with average and standard deviation (SD) of cup abduction. The mean cup anteversion with DLA (17.3±10.0°) was significantly smaller than that with early stage DAA(26.6±8.1°) and late stage DAA(21.0±8.0°). SD of cup anteversion with DLA was significantly larger than that with both DAA groups. The mean stem anteversion was significantly smaller with DLA (18.9±14.3) and late stage DAA (16.7±11.1°) than that with early stage DAA (23.5±11.9°). SD of stem anteversion with DLA was significantly larger than that with both DAA groups. There were 9 hips of dislocation: 5 hips in DLA, 3 in early DAA and one in late DAA. SD of combined anteversion Value with DLA(30.5±13.7) was significantly larger than that with early DAA (40.3±12.2) and late DAA (32.7±11.1.∗∗∗∗∗
Conclusion
Significantly less SD for anteversion of stem and cup was demonstrated with DAA compared with DLA. Stable operative positioning with DAA could yield a more accurate and reliable implantation compared with DLA in lateral position. DAA in supine position was a superior approach for primary THA.
