The effect of incision size on clinical outcomes and recovery after total hip arthroplasty with the anterolateral approach

We evaluated clinical, radiographic, and short-term recovery outcomes in a one-surgeon series of 100 unilateral primary total hip arthoplasties by antero-lateral approach via limited (<10 cm) and standard (14–18 cm) size incisions. Anesthesiology estimated significantly lower blood loss with minimum size incisions, but otherwise hematological measures, transfusions, operative time, hospitalization time, narcotic usage, rehabilitation, complications, discharge disposition, and component placement were not significantly different related to approach. Quality of component placement did not appear to be limited by mini-incision approach. We found no objective evidence that minimal incision size benefited these patients, who were blinded to approach type.