The bikini incision anterior cemented total hip arthroplasty: Assessment of radiological and clinical outcomes - A mid-term review

Similar complications and outcomes with simultaneous versus staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty with the direct anterior approach: A comparative study

INTRODUCTION

Simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) has demonstrated similar clinical outcomes to staged bilateral THA. However, there is scarce data regarding the early postoperative complications. This study compares simultaneous to staged bilateral THA with the direct anterior approach (DAA) regarding early complications and revision surgeries.

METHODS

This retrospective case-control study included all bilateral THAs, performed by DAA between 2013 and 2021 with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. A total of 264 THAs (132 patients) were identified [simultaneous group (1T): 58 patients; staged group (2T): 74] with a mean follow-up of 54 months. Complications and revisions, clinical outcomes, and days off work were assessed at the last follow-up. Moreover, blood loss was evaluated by the modified method of Mercuriali and Inghilleri.

RESULTS

Blood loss was higher in the 1T group (1003 mL 1T vs. 740 mL 2T; p < 0.001) but there was no significant difference in transfusion rates (5% 1T vs. 3% 2T; p = 0.4). There were no complications in 1T, while the complication rate was 5.2% (n = 6) in 2T (p = 0.012). There were 5 revisions in the 2T group, including 2 debridements with polyethylene exchange and implant retention for early infections, 2 revisions for aseptic loosening in the same patient, and 1 revision due to fracture. Postoperative pain on D3 was equivalent in both groups (4.2 1T vs. 4.3 2T; p = 0.79). The improvement in function according to the HHS at 2 months was better in the 1T group, but not significant (36.8 1T vs. 32.9 2T; p = 0.05). The total number of days off work was significantly higher in the 2T group (82.6 days vs. 178.8; p = 0.025).

DISCUSSION

Simultaneous bilateral THA with the DAA seems to be a safe procedure, with no risk of increased early postoperative complications when compared to the staged procedure with similar functional outcomes and significantly fewer complications and days off work.

Cement Mantle Quality and Stem Alignment in Cemented Collarless Polished Tapered Stems Implanted via the Direct Anterior and Direct Lateral Approaches: A Single Institution Experience

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the stem alignment and the quality of cement mantle of collarless polished tapered cemented stems inserted through the direct anterior approach (DAA) and the direct lateral approach (DLA).

METHODS

A comparative retrospective study of 232 hybrid total hip arthroplasties using a cemented collarless polished tapered stem through either the DAA (n = 147) or DLA (n = 85) was performed. Radiographic evaluation included stem alignment, cement mantle quality, and cement mantle thickness.

RESULTS

On anteroposterior radiographs, stems implanted through the DLA were more likely to be in neutral alignment, than those implanted through the DAA (83.5%[n = 71] versus 71.4% [n = 105]; P = <.001). No difference between approaches was noted for stem alignment on lateral radiographs or cement mantle quality. Multivariate analysis revealed factors associated with suboptimal cement mantle and included Dorr type B or C femur as well as male gender. A mean cement mantle thickness ≥2mm was achieved in all Gruen zones for both approaches.

CONCLUSION

In our series, the DAA was associated with a higher incidence of coronal plane stem malalignment compared to the DLA when using cemented tapered polished femoral components for total hip arthroplasty. No difference in lateral stem alignment or cement mantle quality was found.

Bikini Incision vs Longitudinal Incision for Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

Background

Direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (DAA THA) traditionally involves a longitudinal incision, but a bikini incision may improve postoperative scar cosmesis and patient satisfaction while reducing wound complications. This systematic review compares the clinical outcomes and surgical complications in patients undergoing DAA THA via a bikini vs longitudinal incision.

Methods

A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses-compliant search of PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE was performed to identify original articles comparing patients undergoing DAA THA via a bikini vs longitudinal incision published from 2010 to 2021. Patient demographic data and postoperative outcomes (scar appearance, patient satisfaction, functional hip scores, and complications) were collected and qualitatively evaluated.

Results

A total of 8 double-armed studies were included, allowing comparison of clinical outcomes of a bikini incision (n = 952) vs a longitudinal incision (n = 1361). Three out of 4 (75.0%) studies comparing postoperative scar appearance and patient satisfaction reported improvements following bikini incision, while 1 study reported comparable results between incision types. Postoperative hip function was similar between incision types in 3 of 4 (75.0%) studies comparing this outcome. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury was the most frequently reported complication following anterior THA, but rates were low overall, and most injuries resolved.

Conclusions

Bikini incision appears to be a safe alternative to the traditional longitudinal incision, with similar functional hip outcomes and potentially improved cosmesis and patient satisfaction while reducing wound complications. Current evidence suggests an elevated risk of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury with bikini incision, but this needs to be confirmed in further prospective randomized studies.