Safely transitioning to the direct anterior from posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract

We compare the complication rate in transition to direct anterior (DAA) from posterior approach (PA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA). This is a retrospective cohort single-surgeon study of consecutive primary THAs over a transition period from PA to DAA. There were no significant differences in dislocation rate, femoral fracture, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury or success rate in cup inclination and anteversion angle between two groups. We conclude that this single-surgeon study demonstrates the safely transitioning to DAA from PA in THA with no significant increase in complications in a selected patients.