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 .
Antero-lateral minimal invasive (ALMI) approach for total hip arthroplasty technique and early results
Introduction : Minimally invasive surgery represents one of the most recent techniques to have emerged within THA . In conventional THA , the incision typically measures 15–20 cm . Minimal invasive approach defined as less invasive to the skin , muscles , or bone may reduce complications and improve recovery time . A number of different approaches and methods have been described in literature . Purpose : This is a prospect i ve study describing the technique and early results of the modified antero-lateral minimal invasive ( ALMI ) approach and comparing our results to the results of other investigators interested in minimal invasive THA . Material s and methods : Seventy-five consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties ( cemented and cementless ) were done through a modified ALMI approach ( 6–8 cm ) , in which we kept the hip abductors intact . Neither special instruments nor specially design ed prostheses were needed . Minimum follow-up was 12 months . Results : The mean Harris hip score for patients after 12-month follow-up was 90 while the mean Merle d’Abugine mean score was 16.5 . Both scores reached almost the maximum values within 3 months after surgery . The cup abduction angle for 70 % patients was between 35 ° and 45 ° . No femoral stem mal-alignment was recorded . The mean operative time of cemented prosthesis was 65 min while that of the cementless prosthesis was 55 min . No wound complications or dislocations were recorded . All the patients were allowed to weight bear in the second post-operative day and involved in an early rehabilitation program . Conclusion : ALMI hip approach with sparing of hip abductors is safe and gives excellent orientation for positioning of prosthesis components . It also allows early and smooth post-operative rehabilitation with fast recovery of the patient in terms of weight bearing
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 .