Introduction: There is little published on the outcome of orthopaedic surgery performed by surgeons in training. The individual results of orthopaedic units and consultants are coming under increasing scrutiny. There may be concerns that trainee performed THR will negatively impact on these figures. This study compares the outcome of THR’s performed by consultants and supervised trainees.

Methods: Data was prospectively collected on 139 THR’s carried out by supervised specialist registrars (years 1 to 4) and 397 THR’s carried out by consultants. The Harris Hip Score (HHS) was used as the primary outcome measure and scores were taken at 7days pre-operatively, 6 and 18 months post-operatively. In addition data on co-morbidity, blood loss, transfusion requirements, re-operation, dislocation and death were recorded. Radiographs of 110 trainee and 110 consultant performed THR’s were compared at 6 months. Acetabular anteversion and abduction and femoral orientation were assessed on lateral and AP films. Cementation was judged using methods described by Hodgkinson and Barrack.

Results: Blood loss, transfusion requirement, dislocation, revision, deep infection and the HHS at 6 and 18 months showed no statistically significant difference between trainee and consultant (all p< 0.05). Component orientation and cementation quality again showed no significant difference (p< 0.05).

Discussion: This paper reveals no difference in the short term results of THR performed by consultants and supervised trainees. Our results show that quality can be maintained whilst training juniors to operate.