The Direct Anterior Approach for 1-Stage Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty: Early Outcome Analysis of a Single-Surgeon Case Series

One-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty (B-THA) is rarely performed despite a 20% incidence of bilateral degenerative hip disease requiring surgical intervention.

We retrospectively evaluated functional outcomes in 22 consecutive patients undergoing B-THA with a matched cohort undergoing unilateral THA by the same surgeon using the direct anterior approach.

Although there was a significant difference in blood loss (P < .01) and surgical time (P < .001), there was no difference in length of hospital stay (P = .09), number of discharges to a rehabilitation facility (P = .22), or postoperative Harris Hip scores (P = .75).

Advances in blood loss and pain management protocols in association with the direct anterior approach should renew interest in the efficacy of 1-stage B-THA.