The meta- analysis of the current evidence base showed that minimally invasive THA is associated with a significantly increased risk of transient lateral femoral cutaneous nerve palsy ( p = 0.006 ) with no significantly better outcome
Over the past decade , minimally invasive surgery has gained popularity as a means of optimising early postoperative rehabilitation and increasing patient satisfaction and cosmesis following  total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) .
However , this surgical exposure has also been associated with increased risk of iatrogenic nerve injury and implant mal-positioning due to limited visibility compared to conventionally larger surgical incisions .
The purpose of this meta- analysis was to compare the outcomes of these two surgical exposures .
Mini-incision for total hip arthroplasty: a prospective, controlled investigation with 5-year follow-up evaluation.
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
The meta- analysis of the current evidence base showed that minimally invasive THA is associated with a significantly increased risk of transient lateral femoral cutaneous nerve palsy ( p = 0.006 ) with no significantly better outcome
Over the past decade , minimally invasive surgery has gained popularity as a means of optimising early postoperative rehabilitation and increasing patient satisfaction and cosmesis following  total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) .
However , this surgical exposure has also been associated with increased risk of iatrogenic nerve injury and implant mal-positioning due to limited visibility compared to conventionally larger surgical incisions .
The purpose of this meta- analysis was to compare the outcomes of these two surgical exposures .