The posterolateral approach reported the lowest value for the surgical duration .
The posterolateral approach reported the shortest hospitalization length .
The posterolateral approach reported shorter surgical duration and hospitalization length .
Concerning the analysis of total estimated blood loss , no significant result was obtained .
Despite the numerous studies , there is no consensus concerning the best approach for  total hip arthroplasty ( THA )  , and debates are ongoing .
The purpose of this study was to perform a Bayesian network meta- analysis ( NMA ) comparing several approaches for primary THA .
The focus was on peri-operative outcomes : surgical duration , total estimated blood loss , and length of the hospitalization .
Comparison of Early Functional Recovery After Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Direct Anterior or Posterolateral Approach: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
BACKGROUND Controversy exists as to whether early functional outcomes differ after total hip arthroplasty performed using the direct anterior approach ( DAA ) or the posterolateral approach ( PLA ) . METHODS One hundred twenty patients were enrolled in this study and were divided into 2 groups based on surgical approach . Group A included patients who had a total hip arthroplasty with a DAA , whereas group B included those with a PLA .  Patients were r and omized into the DAA or PLA groups ( n = 60 ) , and perioperative and postoperative outcomes were recorded . RESULTS When compared with the PLA , the DAA had a shorter incision length ( 9.1 vs 13.1 cm ; P < .01 ) , shorter hospital stay ( 2.8 vs 3.3 days , P = .04 ) , and lower self-reported pain . Both serum inflammatory and muscle damage markers were lower in the DAA group . However , the PLA had shorter operative times ( 65.5 vs 83.3 min , P = .03 ) and less intraoperative blood loss ( 123.8 vs 165.9 mL , P = .04 ) . The DAA had significantly lower variance in cup inclination and anteversion . Similar rates of intraoperative complications were identified in the 2 groups . The DAA was associated with better functional recovery at 3 months based on the Harris hip score , University of California Los Angeles activity score , and gait analysis ; however , functional recovery at 6 months was similar between the 2 groups . CONCLUSION We found functional advantages in early recovery after the DAA compared with the PLA . The DAA can offer rapid functional recovery with less muscle damage , greater pain relief , and lower variance in cup inclination and anteversion . However , no functional difference was found at 6 months follow-up
The posterolateral approach reported the lowest value for the surgical duration .
The posterolateral approach reported the shortest hospitalization length .
The posterolateral approach reported shorter surgical duration and hospitalization length .
Concerning the analysis of total estimated blood loss , no significant result was obtained .
Despite the numerous studies , there is no consensus concerning the best approach for  total hip arthroplasty ( THA )  , and debates are ongoing .
The purpose of this study was to perform a Bayesian network meta- analysis ( NMA ) comparing several approaches for primary THA .
The focus was on peri-operative outcomes : surgical duration , total estimated blood loss , and length of the hospitalization .