Reduced revision rate and maintained function after hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures after transition from posterolateral to direct lateral approach

Background and purpose — The direct lateral (DL) approach to the hip for femoral neck fractures (FNF) has been shown to reduce the rate of dislocation and reoperations. We evaluate the effect of transition from the posterolateral (PL) to DL approach on reoperation and dislocation rates and patients’ reported outcome.

Patients and methods — In a prospective cohort study between 2012 and 2015, we enrolled 362 patients (median age 83 years, 70% women, mean follow-up 25 months) with a displaced FNF. The first group of 146 patients were operated using the PL and the second group of 216 patients with a DL approach, after change of our routines. A multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with dislocation and reoperation. A generalized linear model was used to evaluate the functional outcome by comparing WOMAC and Harris hip scores between the 2 groups.

Results — The reoperation rate was reduced from 13% in the PL to 6% in the DL group and the dislocation rate from 13% to 4%. Cox proportional hazard analysis identified the PL approach as the only factor associated with an increased risk of reoperation (hazard ratio =2.5, 95% CI 1.2–5.2). Age, sex, ASA classification, type of arthroplasty, cognitive dysfunction, or the experience of the surgeon had no effect on the risk of reoperation. Patient-reported outcome was similar between the 2 groups.

Interpretation — In patients with FNF we have reduced the reoperation and dislocation rates by changing the surgical approach used for hip arthroplasty without affecting the patient-reported functional outcome.