This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Similar short-term results seen with direct anterior vs other hemiarthroplasty approaches
Although this short-term follow-up showed similar complication rates, operative times and the need for transfusion among elderly patients with femoral neck fractures who underwent hip hemiarthroplasty using a direct anterior approach compared with other approaches such as, an anterolateral, posterior or direct lateral approach, patients in the direct anterior group were more likely to be discharged earlier.
Researchers retrospectively reviewed the charts of 101 elderly patients who underwent elective, uncemented, press-fit hemiarthroplasty for acute intrascapular femoral neck fractures. Thirty-one patients underwent hemiarthroplasty with the direct anterior approach and 70 patients underwent hemiarthroplasty using either the anterolateral, posterior or direct lateral approach. The mean clinical follow-up was 4 months.
Results showed a mean operative time of 98.7 minutes for patients who underwent hemiarthroplasty with the direct anterior approach compared with 96.5 minutes for patients who underwent surgery using the other approaches. Patients in the direct anterior group had a greater chance of being discharged 3 days or earlier after their procedures compared with patients who had another approach. Investigators also noted that the groups were not significantly different regarding the number of ambulated feet.
Patients who underwent the direct anterior approach had a 23% complication rate, and patients who underwent the other approaches had an overall complication rate of 26%. Investigators noted an overall 3% dislocation rate and an overall 5% reoperation rate. The groups were not significantly different with regard to the need for transfusion and the number of transfused blood products, according to researchers. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Trinh reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.