Percutaneously Assisted Total Hip Arthroplasty (PATH): A Preliminary Report

During the last decade, a number of so-called minimally invasive techniques have been proposed for total hip arthroplasty. The initial reports suggested the possibility of better early functionality, less blood loss (and hence decreased transfusion rates), and a shorter hospital stay1. Subsequent reports have shown no appreciable difference in these parameters when comparing traditional and so-called minimally invasive techniques2-5. Early techniques, however, were associated with a relatively high complication rate. These complications most commonly included component malposition, increased blood loss, nerve injury, and fracture6-9.