Modified direct anterior approach in minimally invasive hip hemiarthroplasty in a geriatric population: a feasibility study and description of the technique

Introduction

The direct anterior approach (DAA) is generally accepted method for minimal invasive arthroplasty of the hip. As good results for total hip arthroplasty are already published, there is a lack of evidence for the implantation of bipolar hip hemiarthroplasty (BHH) in elderly patients with osteoporosis after femoral neck fracture.

Materials and methods

For hip arthroplasty using a direct anterior approach (DAA) in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures, a number of modifications of the original technique are being described. The modified DAA considers in particular the co-morbidity and the bone quality of the geriatric patient population. A consecutive series of 16 hemiarthroplasties using this technique is presented. In all 16 cases, the BHH was implanted in modified DAA technique. Mobility measured by 4-item Barthel Index, pain via visual analogue scale (VAS), duration of surgery, external length of incision and blood loss were evaluated.

Results

There was no major operative complication during the procedures. The pain level decreased from 7 (preoperatively) to 0 at postoperative day 40. The Barthel Index increased from 5 at first postoperative day to 40 at day 40. Early postoperative mobilisation is efficiently accelerated. Mean operating time was 71 min; the medium skin incision length was 8 cm. The mean haemoglobin level decreased from 118 g/dl preoperatively to 101 g/dl at first postoperative day.

Conclusion

The described modifications of the DAA help to implant a BHH gently in elderly patients with increasing risk of complications like iatrogenic fractures, wound or prosthesis infections and haematoma. This will hopefully lead to a faster rehabilitation and lower mortality rate for patients with femoral neck fractures in the future.