Comparison of Scars from Total Hip Replacements Done with a Standard or a Mini-incision A lateral minimal-incision technique in total hip replacement: a prospective, randomizes, controlled trial. A minimal-incision technique in total hip arthroplasty does not improve early postoperative outcomes. A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. THE FRANK STINCHFIELD AWARD: Muscle Damage after Total Hip Arthroplasty Done with the Two-incision and Mini-posterior Techniques Comparison of early postoperative functional levels following total hip replacement using minimally invasive versus standard incisions. A prospective randomized blinded trial The Mini-incision Direct Lateral Approach in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Comparison of skin blood flow between mini- and standard-incision approaches during total hip arthroplasty. Learning curve in tissue sparing total hip replacement: comparison between different approaches The impact of minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty on the standard procedure Which is more invasive—mini versus standard incisions in total hip arthroplasty? Early pain relief and function after posterior minimally invasive and conventional total hip arthroplasty. A prospective, randomized, blinded study. Total Hip Arthroplasty through the Mini-Incision (Micro-Hip) Approach versus the Standard Transgluteal (Bauer) Approach: A Prospective, Randomised Study Operative and Patient Care Techniques for Posterior Mini-incision Total Hip Arthroplasty Mini-incision versus mini-incision and computer-assisted surgery in total knee replacement: a radiological prospective randomised study. Mini-incision for total hip arthroplasty: a prospective, controlled investigation with 5-year follow-up evaluation. Mini-incision technique for total hip arthroplasty with navigation. [Advantages of minimal invasive total hip replacement in the early phase of rehabilitation]. Blood Loss in the Minimally Invasive Posterior Approach to Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Comparative Study A randomized, prospective study of 3 minimally invasive surgical approaches in total hip arthroplasty: comprehensive gait analysis. [Minimally invasive posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty]. [Comparison of total hip arthroplasty via a posterior mini-incision versus a classic anterolateral approach]. The use of computer navigation in performing minimally invasive surgery for intertrochanteric hip fractures--The experience in Singapore. Tackling the learning curve: comparison between the anterior, minimally invasive (Micro-hip®) and the lateral, transgluteal (Bauer) approach for primary total hip replacement
Scar cosmesis is one of the proposed benefits of mini-incision total hip replacement as opposed to st and ard-incision procedures ; however , there has been no scientific proof of this clinical outcome . The cosmetic appearances of healed incisions of 34 primary total hip replacement procedures done by one surgeon using either a mini-incision ( 20 procedures ) or a st and ard-length incision ( 14 procedures ) were compared at an average of 2 years postoperatively . Each scar ’s appearance was grade d independently by two plastic surgeons using a st and ardized rating system . Patients answered a question naire regarding their subjective assessment of their scar . The blinded observers found that more mini-scars ( six of 20 ) were rated poor than st and ard scars ( one of 14 ) and that more st and ard-incision patients had scars that were rated good . More mini-incision patients ( two of 20 versus zero of 14 ) had wound-healing problems . All the patients thought that their hip scar was acceptable in appearance , but 30 of 31 patients rated the relief of pain and total hip replacement longevity as higher priorities than scar cosmesis . The cosmesis of mini-incision total hip replacement scars may be inferior to st and ard-incision scars because of skin and soft tissue damage produced by high retractor pressures needed for exposure using a limited skin incision . Level of Evidence : Therapeutic study , Level II-2 ( prospect i ve comparative study ) . See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence Minimally invasive surgery has become a trend over the last few years in all aspects of orthopaedic surgery , including total hip arthroplasty . So-called mini-incision techniques involve limiting the length of the skin incision to 10 cm with use of either an anterior , lateral or posterior approach . Between March 2004 and December 2005 one hundred consecutive unilateral total hip replacements were performed by the same senior surgeon in our institute . All patients were r and omly assigned to study group ( group A ) or control group ( group B ) . In group A ( 50 patients ) the  skin incision was 8 cm ; in group B ( 50 patients ) the skin incision was st and ard ( about 12 - 14 cm ) . Patient demographic data , including sex , age , height , weight , BMI , diagnosis and preoperative Harris hip score were recorded . Other criteria evaluated included the perioperative and postoperative complications , the surgical time , the blood loss , the length of the incision , the acetabular and stem positions , the length of hospital stay , Harris Hip Score ( HHS ) and the WOMAC osteoarthritis index at six months . No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to the average surgical time , the acetabular and stem position , the length of hospital stay and the Harris Hip Score ( HHS ) and the WOMAC osteoarthritis index at six months . A significant lower blood loss was found in the mini-incision group . A higher percentage of peri-operative complications was recorded in Group A ( two stupor of sciatic nerve and one fracture of the greater trochanter ) . On the basis of our experience we could speculate that minimally invasive surgery should be directed to the new surgical approach with muscle sparing , instead of a shorter skin incision using st and ard approaches BACKGROUND Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty has stirred substantial controversy with regard to whether it provides superior outcomes compared with total hip arthroplasty performed through longer incisions . The orthopaedic literature is deficient in well- design ed scientific studies to support the clinical superiority of this approach . The objective of this study was to compare the results of a single mini-incision approach with those of a st and ard-incision total hip arthroplasty in the early postoperative period . METHODS Two hundred and nineteen patients ( 219 hips ) admitted for unilateral total hip arthroplasty between December 2003 and June 2004 were r and omized to undergo surgery through a short incision of < or=10 cm or a st and ard incision of 16 cm .  All patients were blinded to the size of the incision for the duration of the hospital stay . The anesthetic , analgesic , and postoperative physiotherapy protocol s were st and ardized , with the staff also blinded to the technique used . A single surgeon , who had performed more than 300 short-incision hip replacements prior to the start of this study and who performs an average of 415 primary total hip replacements a year , performed all procedures through a single-incision posterior approach using a cementless cup and cemented stem . RESULTS The two groups were matched for age , grade according to the system of the American Society of Anesthesiologists , and body mass index . No significant difference was detected with respect to postoperative hematocrit , blood transfusion requirements , pain scores , or analgesic use . We found no difference in early walking ability or length of hospital stay and no difference in component placement , cement-mantle quality , or functional outcome scores at six weeks . The patient variables significantly associated with a probability of early discharge independent of incision length were patient age and preoperative hemoglobin levels ( p < 0.05 ) . The surgical scars contracted significantly over six weeks ( p < 0.05 ) but by a similar proportion of 11 % to 12 % in both groups . CONCLUSIONS Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty performed through a single-incision posterior approach by a high-volume hip surgeon with extensive experience in less invasive approaches to the hip is safe and reproducible . However , it offers no significant benefit in the early postoperative period compared with a st and ard incision of 16 cm . As it is not known whether lower-volume and less-experienced surgeons can achieve similar results , the mini-incision technique merits further study before wide dissemination and implementation of this family of surgical approaches can be recommended Some surgeons have suggested that a minimally invasive two-incision approach allows total hip arthroplasty to be done without cutting or damaging any muscle or tendon . To our knowledge that cl aim has not been supported by any published clinical or basic science data . Our purpose in doing this study was to quantify the extent and location of damage to the abductor and external rotator muscles and tendons after two-incision and mini-posterior total hip arthroplasty .  Ten cadavers ( 20 hips ) were studied . In each cadaver one hip r and omly was assigned to the two-incision group and the contralateral hip was assigned to the mini-posterior group . After inserting the total hip arthroplasty components the muscle damage was assessed using a technique described previously . Damage to the muscle of the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus was substantially greater with the two-incision technique than with the mini-posterior technique . Every two-incision total hip replacement caused measurable damage to the abductors , the external rotators , or both . Every mini-posterior hip replacement caused the external rotators to detach during the exposure and had additional measurable damage to the abductor muscles and tendon . We do not support the contention that a two-incision total hip arthroplasty is done without cutting muscle or tendon . None of the two-incision hip replacements were done without cutting , reaming , or damaging the gluteus medius or gluteus minimus muscle or external rotators Objective : To compare the results of single-incision minimally invasive total hip replacement ( ≤ 10 cm ) to st and ard-incision ( 16 cm ) total hip replacement in the early postoperative period with respect to functional and mobilizing ability ( transfers , mobilizing , walking and stair assessment ) . Setting : Orthopaedic wards of a regional orthopaedic centre . Subjects : Two hundred and nineteen total hip replacement patients were tested between December 2003 and June 2004 . Interventions : Patients were r and omized to either total hip replacement through a minimally invasive ( ≤ 10 cm ) or st and ard incision ( 16 cm ) . A single surgeon performed all procedures using the same type of component fixation . Postoperative physiotherapy assessment and treatment was st and ardized . Analgesia was also st and ardized . All patients , physiotherapy staff and assessors were blinded to the incision used . Main outcome measures : Patients were tested two days post operatively and were assessed for the following activities : transfer from supine to sit , transfer from sitting to st and ing , mobilizing , ascending and descending stairs and weight-bearing . Results : The shorter incision offered no significant improvement in patient ability in relation to transfer from lying to sitting , transfer from sitting to st and ing , mobilizing or weight-bearing . Ascending/descending stairs gave a total time for the minimal incision of 38.7 s against 40.8 s for a st and ard incision . There was no difference in walking velocity between the st and ard incision and minimal incision groups two days post operatively ( minimal incision = 0.26 m/s versus st and ard incision = 0.26 m/s ) or six weeks post operatively ( minimal incision = 0.90 m/s versus st and ard incision = 0.93 m/s ) . There was no difference between groups with respect to walking aids at six-week review . The mean length of stay for the minimally invasive approach was 3.65 days ( SD 2.04 ) against 3.68 days ( SD 2.45 ) for the st and ard approach . This was not significantly different . Conclusion : Total hip replacement performed through a minimally invasive incision of ≤ 10 cm compared with a st and ard incision of 16 cm offers no significant benefit in terms of the rate or ability of patients to mobilize and perform functional tasks necessary for safe discharge Patients are inquiring about  mini-incision primary total hip arthroplasty  with increasing frequency . There are no published r and omized controlled trials to substantiate cl aims that the mini-incision direct lateral approach is better than a st and ard approach . The purpose of our study was to review our initial experience with the mini-incision technique through the direct lateral approach , with the intent of implementing a r and omized controlled trial if the approach could be shown as safe and effective . Of importance was determining if there is any difference in component positioning and if there is any difference in intraoperative or postoperative complications between the two groups . We retrospectively compared a consecutive series of 87 primary total hip arthroplasties . Thirty-four total hip arthroplasties were done using a mini-incision direct lateral approach . The mean abduction angle was 45 ° for both groups . The femoral stem alignment was within five degrees of neutral in 97 % of the mini group and 94 % of the st and ard group . There were no dislocations , infections , neurologic or wound complications . There were no differences in medical complications or blood transfusions . A significant decrease was found regarding body mass index , which reflects the bias in patient selection and lack of r and omization . We conclude that it is safe to continue further study with this approach because as there was no increase in complications or component malpositioning . Level of Evidence : Therapeutic study , Level III ( retrospective comparative study ) . See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence Twenty patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty were r and omly allocated to have surgery through a mini incision of < or = 8 cm ( mini-incision surgery [ MIS ] group , n = 10 ) or a st and ard incision of 14 cm ( st and ard group , n = 10 ) . A laser Doppler flowmeter was used to measure the intraoperative blood flow of the skin . The measurements were performed at 2 regions , specifically , anterior and posterior regions across the middle points of skin incision . The measurements were taken before making the incision and after implantation . As a control , the skin blood flow over the anterior superior iliac spine was measured . After implantation , mean skin blood flows at both regions in the MIS group were significantly decreased by 32 % and 33 % . However , the corresponding flows in st and ard group and control regions were constant during operation Background The tissue sparing surgery ( TSS ) concept means not only smaller incisions but also less tissue disruption , allowing decreased blood loss and improved function . However , TSS techniques can result in more complications related to the learning curve . The aim of this study was to compare the learning curve of an experienced surgeon with different TSS approaches for total hip replacement ( THR ) from a clinical and surgical point of view , focussing especially on complications related to the use of different geometric stems . Material s and methods Sixty patients scheduled to be operated for a primary THR were enrolled in the study and were r and omly assigned to surgery by one of three different TSS approaches : lateral with mini incision ( group A ) , minimally invasive anterior ( group B ) and minimally invasive antero-lateral ( group C ) . Results from the three TSS groups were compared with a control group of 149 patients ( group D ) . Results Our results reveal significantly reduced blood loss in the TSS groups compared with the control group , with no differences between the TSS groups . We found better early functional scores in the two minimally invasive groups ( anterior and anterolateral ) , and a lower rate of complications with the antero-lateral TSS approach . Conclusion The antero-lateral TSS approach seems to be safer and less dem and ing than st and ard THR surgery , and is suitable for use with different stems Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty  using a short skin incision is a subject of much debate in the literature . The present study estimates the possible minimal length of the exposure in an unselected patient cohort and compares the lateral mini-incision technique and traditional total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) .  One hundred and two patients were divided into three groups according to the type of surgery and length of incision : mini-incision ( less than 10  cm ) was performed in 38 patients ; midi-incision ( 10–14 cm ) in 43 ; and  st and ard-incision ( longer than 14 cm ) in 21 patients . No statistical difference was found with regard to intraoperative and total blood loss , the rate of complications , and postoperative recovery . Significantly decreased body mass index ( BMI ) , shorter operative time , and higher number of hips with malpositioning of the acetabular cup were found in the mini-incision group . These patients , however , experienced less pain in the early postoperative period and were highly satisfied with the cosmetic results . The length of incision was shortened and optimized ( less than 14 cm ) in 82 % of patients , and mini-incision was performed in 38 patients of this unselected cohort . Because of the underst and able dem and of the patients for less invasive intervention , the surgeon should use a smaller but not necessarily mini-incision with minimal soft tissue trauma that still allows him to perform the procedure well , without compromising the type of implants and the otherwise excellent long-term results . R and omized prospect i ve studies are needed to explore the real value of the minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty . RésuméLa chirurgie arthroplastie de la hanche par voie mini invasive est un sujet de débat et de controverse dans la littérature . Cette étude a pour but d’estimer la longueur minimale de la voie d’abord sur une suite de patients non sélectionnés et de comparer la technique de mini incision avec la technique d’incision traditionnelle antérolatérale .  Cent deux patients ont été divisés en trois groupes , en fonction du type de chirurgie et en fonction de la longueur d’incision . Premier groupe : mini incision moins de 10 cm chez 38 patients , deuxième groupe : incision moyenne 10 à 14 cm chez 43 patients et troisième groupe : incision st and ard , supérieure à 14 cm chez 21 patients . Aucune différence statistique n’a été trouvée pour la perte sanguine et sur le taux des complications post-opératoires . Dans le groupe des mini incisions peu de sujets avaient une surcharge pondérale , par contre , il existait un gr and nombre de hanches avec une mal position de la cupule . Ces patients ont cependant présenté moins de douleur dans la période post-opératoire et ont été très satisfaits du résultat cosmétique . La longueur de l’incision dans la chirurgie prothétique de la hanche peut être raccourcie et la longueur optimum peut être de moins de 14 cm chez 82 % des patients . Une mini incision a été réalisé dans cette série , chez 38 patients du fait de la dem and e des patients pour une chirurgie mini invasive , les chirurgiens ont utilisé une petite incision avec un minimum de traumatisme des tissus mous . Cette mini incision doit donc permettre au chirurgien de réaliser son intervention correctement sans compromission sur le type d ’ implants , ni sur la qualité des résultats à long terme . Il n’y a pas besoin pour cela nécessairement d’une mini incision néanmoins des études prospect ives r and omisées doivent être réalisées pour explorer le vrai résultat de la chirurgie arthroplastie par voie mini invasive In this study , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , and haemoglobin levels were evaluated to compare the degree of surgical invasion between mini and st and ard incisions in total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) . Sixty-two patients admitted for primary cementless THA were enrolled in this r and omised study . The patients were allocated to have surgery through either a mini incision of < 10 cm or a st and ard incision of 15 cm . In each group , inflammatory responses were evaluated by IL-6 , CRP , and haemoglobin levels before operation and one day after operation . Significant differences were not found in IL-6 , CRP , and haemoglobin levels between both groups . At six months after surgery , there were no significant differences in postoperative Harris hip scores or radiographic evaluations between both groups . In conclusion , a 5.0 cm difference in the skin incision to the hip joint seemed to have no influence on the degree of surgical invasion during THA.RésuméAfin de mesurer l ’ importance de l’agression chirurgicale tissulaire dans les prothèses totales de hanche , incision st and ard , versus mini-invasifs , les niveaux d’Interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ) de protéine C-réactive ( CRP ) et d’hémoglobine doivent être appréciés . 62 patients devant bénéficier d’une prothèse totale de hanche primaire sans ciment ont été enrôlés dans cette étude r and omisée . Ces patients devaient bénéficier soit d’une mini-incision inférieure à 10 cm , soit d’une incision st and ard supérieure à 15 cm . Chaque groupe a été évalué avec ces différents facteurs biologiques avant l’intervention et un jour après intervention . Il n’a été trouvé aucune différence significative dans les deux groupes avec ces différents marqueurs Inteleukin , CRP et hémoglobine . Six mois après la chirurgie pas de différence significative non plus au niveau des scores de Harris ou au niveau de l’évaluation radiographique . En conclusion , la différence d’incision cutanée de 5 cm ne semble pas avoir d’influence sur l ’ importance des lésions des parties molles au cours d’une prothèse totale de hanche BACKGROUND Few prospect i ve r and omized studies have demonstrated benefits of minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty when compared with conventional total hip arthroplasty . We hypothesized that patients treated with a posterior mini-incision would have better results than those treated with a posterior long incision with regard to the achievement of established goals for pain relief and functional recovery permitting hospital discharge by the second postoperative day . METHODS Sixty of 231 eligible patients were r and omized ( with thirty in each group ) to have a total hip arthroplasty performed through either a posterior mini-incision ( 10 + /- 2 cm ) or a traditional long incision ( 20 + /- 2 cm ) . After completion of the total hip arthroplasty , the mini-incision group underwent extension of the skin incision to 20 cm . Patients were evaluated on the basis of self-determined pain scores , requirements for pain medicine , need for assistive gait devices , and time until discharge . Gait analysis provided objective functional assessment . RESULTS The average hospital stay was 63.2 + /- 13.3 hours in the mini-incision group and 73.6 + /- 23.5 hours in the long-incision group ( p = 0.04 ) . More patients with a mini-incision were discharged by the second postoperative day ( p = 0.003 ) and more were using just a single assistive device at the time of discharge ( p = 0.005 ) . As scored on a verbal analog scale of 0 to 10 points , patients with a mini-incision had less pain on each postoperative day and the pain score remained significantly lower at the time of discharge ( mean , 2.2 + /- 1.0 points compared with 3.1 + /- 0.9 points in the long-incision group ; p = 0.002 ) . After hospital discharge , there were no clinical differences in pain or function between the two groups of patients . CONCLUSIONS Compared with conventional total hip arthroplasty performed through a posterior incision , posterior minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty result ed in better early pain control , earlier discharge to home , and less use of assistive devices . Subsequent evaluations at six weeks and three months showed equivalency between the clinical results in the two groups . LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level Purpose . To compare outcome after  total hip arthroplasty ( THA )  through the mini-incision approach versus the st and ard transgluteal approach . Methods . 80 women and 63 men aged 33 to 89 ( mean , 62 ) years with primary osteoarthritis of the hip were r and omised to undergo unilateral THA through a mini-incision approach ( Micro-hip , n=55 ) or st and ard , lateral , transgluteal approach  ( Bauer , n=88 ) . Levels of haemoglobin , haematocrit , serum creatine kinase , and C-reactive protein , length of hospital stay , mobilisation , and any complication were recorded . Visual analogue scale ( VAS ) for pain was assessed . Hip function was assessed using the Harris Hip Score and the Oxford Hip Score , whereas general health was assessed using the EQ-5D general health question naire . The cup inclination and varus/ valgus of the stem position were measured using a goniometer . Results . The Micro-hip group achieved a significantly lower mean incision length ( 9.3 vs. 13.4 cm , p<0.001 ) , mean surgical time ( 60 vs. 68 minutes , p=0.021 ) , mean reduction in haemoglobin level ( 2.1 vs. 2.8 g/dl , p<0.001 ) , and mean VAS for pain from hour 6 to day 6 ( all p<0.05 ) . One patient in the Micro-hip group developed early aseptic loosening of the cup and underwent revision surgery at month 4 . Three patients in the Bauer group and one patient in the Micro-hip group sustained intra-operative non-displaced fractures of the proximal femur , which were fixed with cerclages . Two patients in the Micro-hip group developed deep vein thrombosis during week 1 . Conclusion . THA through the Micro-hip approach achieved faster pain relief Technical and patient care improvements have occurred with the posterior mini-incision total hip arthroplasty . We hypothesized that these changes would provide better results for patients . The clinical and radiographic results of 100 total hip arthroplasties done with the posterior mini incision between January 2004 and October 2004 were compared with 100 mini-incision total hip arthroplasties done between December 2001 and September 2002 . There were no differences in diagnosis , age , and body mass index of the patients in each group . Component positions were not compromised in either group . There were improvements in the 2004 group with decreased hospital stay , reduction of postoperative pain and opioid analgesic use , reduced use of assistive devices , and earlier muscle recovery . In the 2004 group there were no complications of infection , dislocation , or sciatic palsy . The posterior mini-incision operation has shown improved results with experience and changes in technique and patient care treatment . Level of Evidence : Therapeutic study , Level IV ( case series ) . See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence The aim of this trial was to compare the radiological results of 74 patients undergoing a mini-invasive total knee replacement ( TKR ) using either a traditional alignment guide ( MIS group ) or a computer assisted alignment system ( MICA group ) . All the patients were prospect ively r and omised to either group and the same implant was used for both groups . At 8 months post-operatively , the frontal femoral component angle ( FFC ) , the frontal tibial component angle ( FTC ) , the hip-knee-ankle angle ( HKA ) and the sagittal orientation of components ( slopes ) were evaluated respectively . The slopes of the femoral component and the FTC angle were statistically better aligned in the MICA group ( p<0.001 ) . The MICA group showed both a significant fewer number of outliners and a significant higher number of implants with all five radiological parameters ideally aligned . The operative time was statistically longer in the computer assisted group A group of 42 primary total hip arthroplasties performed through an abridged surgical incision ( group 1 ) was prospect ively compared to a cohort of 42 primary total hip arthroplasties performed through a st and ard surgical incision ( group 2 ) . The length of the incision was 8.8 + /- 1.5 cm for group 1 and 23.0 + /- 2.1 cm for group 2 . The groups were not significantly different with respect to age , height , preoperative Harris Hip scores ( HHS ) , estimated blood loss , or length of hospital stay ( P>.05 ) . Group 1 patients had a lower body mass index than group 2 patients ( P<.01 ) . Length of surgery was slightly less for group I ( P = .02 ) . A 0 % incidence was found of infection , nerve palsy , component malposition , and aseptic loosening in both groups . No dislocations occurred in group 1 , and one dislocation occurred in group 2 . Patients in group 1 have expressed considerable enthusiasm regarding the cosmetic appearance of the surgical incisions , and their postoperative HHS are slightly higher than those of group 2 ( P = .042 ) . Total hip arthroplasty can be performed safely and effectively through an abridged surgical incision , but this investigation confirms no dramatic clinical benefit other than cosmetic appeal This prospect i ve study compares a mini-incision technique and traditional posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) . Thirty-three patients who had undergone a mini-incision THA were matched by diagnosis , gender , average age , and preoperative Harris Hip Score ( HHS ) to 33 patients who had undergone THA using the traditional posterior approach .  The average length of the incision for group 1 was 11.7 cm ( range , 7.3 - 13.0 ) and for group 2 was 20.2 cm ( range , 14.8 - 26.0 ) . At the 3-month follow-up , patients in the mini-incision group had significant improvement in limp ( P<.05 ) and ability to climb stairs ( P < .01 ) compared with the traditional group . At the 6 month follow-up , the mini-incision group was significantly better in terms of limp ( P < .05 ) , distance walked ( P<.001 ) , and stairs ( P < 0.001 ) . There was no significant difference between groups for pain , function , or range of motion at the 1-year follow-up examination UNLABELLED In arthroplasty the term " minimal invasive " not only refers to the length of the skin incision but more so to its soft tissue and thereby muscle-protecting features . STUDY AIM The aim of this study is to compare the early postoperative mobilisation and rehabilitation of the different surgical approaches in cementless total hip arthroplasty . METHODS 27 patients underwent a total hip replacement ( Trilogy cup , MAYO stem ) via a ventral minimal invasive approach ( one incision technique ) ( MIS group ) . 23 patients underwent a total hip replacement with the same implant via a anterolateral transgluteal approach ( st and ard group ) . We evaluated the Harris Hip Score ( HHS ) , the visual analogue scale ( VAS ) for pain and patient satisfaction preoperatively as well as 3 days , 10 days , 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively . RESULTS After 3 and 10 days the MIS group showed better scores for pain , gait and mobilisation as well as for the overall HHS compared to the st and ard group . These differences could not be shown 6 weeks postoperatively . The MIS group had a significantly higher rate of complications with 22 % transient impairment of the lateral cutaneous nerve . CONCLUSION The patients of the MIS group showed a better mobilisation and rehabilitation during the early postoperative period . This can be attributed to the lessened intraoperative damage of to soft tissue and especially muscle damage . Due to the increased rate of nerve irritations , we modified our surgical approach . The minimal invasive approach to modern hip joint arthroplasty remains a non-st and ard technique . Compared to the st and ard approach it carries additional risks ( like nerve damage and malpositioning of the implants and thus should remain in the h and s of the experienced orthopaedic surgeon in specialised orthopaedic centres AIMS Our primary aim was to evaluate whether there is really less bleeding in patients for whom the minimally invasive posterior approach is used in comparison with the direct lateral approach for primary total hip arthroplasty . Our secondary aim was to evaluate the clinical functional results after six months as well as the postoperative radiographic result . METHODS In a comparative non-r and om prospect i ve study , 76 adult patients underwent elective total hip arthroplasty using one of two approaches . The minimally invasive posterior approach ( 34 cases ; mini-incision group ) was compared with the st and ard direct lateral approach ( 42 cases ; control group ) . RESULTS Lower total estimated bleeding ( means of 1083.5 ml versus 1682.3 ml ; p < 0.001 ) and lower intraoperative bleeding ( means of 745.6 ml versus 1282.8 ml ; p < 0.001 ) were found in the mini-incision group . There was , however , no difference in the volume of blood drained after the operation ( means of 340 ml and 399 ml ; p = 0.77 ) . There was also a difference between the two groups regarding the need for allogenic transfusion ( 8.8 % in the mini-incision group versus 28.6 % , p = 0.02 ) . We observed a better clinical result in the mini-incision group ( p = 0.002 ) despite the lack of difference between the two groups in relation to the radiographic result . DISCUSSION Our results draw attention to the possibility that other authors may have underestimated blood losses when using minimally invasive approaches . CONCLUSION The minimally invasive approach gave rise to a positive final impression with regard to lower blood loss Purported advantages of total hip arthroplasty performed with minimally invasive surgical ( MIS ) approaches are less muscle damage and faster recovery . There are little data scientifically evaluating these cl aims . Twenty-four consecutive hips were r and omized to total hip arthroplasty through 1 of 3 MIS approaches ( 2-incision , mini-posterior , and mini-anterolateral ) . Each patient underwent preoperative and postoperative gait analysis . Gait parameters included vertical ground reaction force , velocity , single-leg stance time , limb-loading rate , and abductor torque . All 3 groups demonstrated overall improvements in gait parameters at 6 weeks postoperatively . The anterolateral approach patients showed a decrease in the vertical ground reaction force at mid-stance , whereas the 2-incision and posterior approaches demonstrated no significant change . These results fail to demonstrate any significant advantage of the 2-incision approach over the posterior approach in kinetic gait parameters . Furthermore , the anterolateral approach demonstrates a gait pattern consistent with abductor muscle injury in the early recovery period , despite the MIS approach The mini-posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty ( THA )  belongs to the mini-incision approaches . In comparison to st and ard approaches , less muscle trauma result ing in less pain , less blood loss and faster rehabilitation in the early postoperative period are attributed to this approach , as known for all other minimally invasive approaches . In a prospect i ve study of 100 cases of THA it could be shown that this is true when comparing the mini-posterior approach with the posterolateral approach . Lower levels of muscle enzymes as a parameter for muscle trauma , could not be seen Surgical approaches to the hip for total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) are termed minimally invasive when allowing for a skin incision length of 10 cm or less . The aim of this study was to explore if a minimally invasive posterior approach compared to a classic anterolateral approach negatively influenced surgical time , blood loss , implant position , or perioperative complications .  Two groups of THA patients mainly differing with respect to the surgical approach were compared . Results of 76 consecutive THA via a posterior mini-incision approach were recorded prospect ively and those of 76 controls operated via a classic anterolateral approach were recorded retrospectively .  THA was performed by the same surgeon in every case . Surgical time or intraoperative blood loss were not different among the groups . Total 24-h blood loss was significantly less in patients undergoing THA via minimally invasive posterior  approaches . Median cup inclination was 45 degrees in both groups . Cup anteversion was 15 degrees ( classic anterolateral ) and 12 degrees ( minimally invasive posterior ) , respectively . Stem position was regarded as neutral in 80 % of THA through classic anterolateral and in 76 % through minimally invasive dorsal incisions . Complications occurred in 8 % ( classic anterolateral ) and 9 % ( minimally invasive posterior ) of THA patients . Surgical time , blood loss , risk of malpositioned implants , or complications were not increased for THA patients operated through minimally invasive posterior incisions compared to those operated via classic anterolateral approaches OBJECTIVE Intertrochanteric hip fractures are very common and early mobilisation correlates with a better outcome . The ideal surgical procedure should protect the soft tissue envelope , thereby preserving blood supply and reducing blood loss . Furthermore , occupational exposure to fluoroscopy that is used in hip fracture fixation remains a concern amongst orthopaedic surgeons . Computer-aided surgery can help to reduce reliance on fluoroscopy . We therefore combined the principles of minimally invasive plate osteo synthesis ( MIPO ) and computer navigation to describe a new procedure . We also present our results using this technique of minimally invasive computer-navigated dynamic hip screw fixation ( navMIS-DHS ) , and compare it to computer-navigated open DHS fixation ( nav-DHS ) and to conventional open DHS fixation ( conv-DHS ) . MATERIAL S AND METHODS This paper has three parts . In the first part , we describe the procedure of navMIS-DHS in detail . In the second part , we present our initial retrospective pilot series of 35 cases . Amongst them we performed 5 navMIS-DHS , 3 nav-DHS and 27 conv-DHS .  There were also two cases of conv-DHS  deliberately performed with a mini-incision in an attempt to see if we could duplicate the 5 cm incision that we achieved with navMIS-DHS . All patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months . In the third part , we performed a single surgeon prospect i ve evaluation of navMIS-DHS versus conv-DHS involving 43 fractures in two arms . RESULTS We were able to achieve reduction in fluoroscopy time . There was also reduction in opiate requirement post-operatively in the minimally invasive procedure . The incision sizes were also smaller . The prospect i ve study also showed less wound-related complications in navMIS-DHS and a shorter time to ambulation . Implant positions were acceptable but we have also described how it may be improved . CONCLUSIONS Navigated MIS-DHS , by virtue of less pain , better healing , earlier rehabilitation and potentially shorter hospital stay , would benefit both the patients and reduce the economic strain on the health care system . It is a safe and reproducible procedure . Technical difficulties are present and these need to be addressed with further modifications of technique , and instrumentation Background and purpose There is still conflicting evidence about the true benefit of minimally invasive ( MI ) techniques in total hip replacement ( THR ) . The aim of this prospect i ve study was to evaluate the safeness of a MI approach during the learning curve of a single surgeon . Second , clinical and radiographic results among the  MI THR group were compared with the results using a st and ard transgluteal ( Bauer ) approach . Methods 86 primary unilateral total hip arthroplasties ( THAs ) through a MI , anterior ( Micro-hip ® ) approach were performed by a single senior surgeon ( ES ) , representing a consecutive series of patients after beginning with the MI technique . Cases were compared to a matched cohort of patients who were treated with a st and ard transgluteal ( Bauer ) approach .  Operation time , incision length , perioperative blood loss , haemoglobin level and blood transfusions were monitored . Complications were documented and followed up 1 year postoperatively . The Harris Hip Score ( HHS ) , range of motion , use of analgetics , the Trendelenburg sign , sensibility of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and the acetabular/femoral component placement as well as potential heterotopic ossifications were analysed in both the groups after 12 months postoperatively . Results 74 MI THR patients and 60 st and ard THR patients were available for the one year follow-up . Operative time was significantly longer in the MI group , reduction in the haemoglobin level during the first 24 h was significant and the length of skin incision was significantly shorter . No significant differences were found for HHS , range of motion , use of analgetics , the Trendelenburg sign , and the acetabular/femoral component placement , heterotopic ossifications and intra- and postoperative complications . Sensibility of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was affected in three patients in the MI group . Radiographic evaluation revealed no component migration , implant subsidence or radiolucency signs in both the groups . DicussionConsistent with recent meta- analysis we found reduced blood loss , similar clinical /radiographic outcome and similar complication rates compared to st and ard THA . Our study shows , that MI THR is a safe procedure during the learning curve of an experienced surgeon
Compared with st and ard total hip replacement , mini-incision procedures may have small perioperative advantages in terms of less blood loss , shorter operative time , and shorter inpatient stay , but the differences were not clinical ly important .
Few complications were reported , and the complication rate did not differ significantly between groups .
There was insufficient evidence to suggest any major difference in the short-term revision rate , and confidence intervals for surrogate measures for long-term outcome were broad enough to include clinical ly important differences in favor of either approach .
Although there were marginal short-term advantages and disadvantages for each of the surgical techniques , there was no strong evidence either for or against mini-incision compared with st and ard-incision total hip replacement .
Importantly , evidence on longer-term performance , especially the risk of revision arthroplasty , for mini-incision hip arthroplasty is very limited
BACKGROUND Mini-incision total hip replacement continues the current trend in orthopaedics and other specialties toward smaller-incision surgery .
The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness and safety of single mini-incision compared with st and ard-incision total hip replacement for treatment of arthritis of the hip .