Mini-incision Total Hip Arthroplasty: The Posterior Approach

To improve patients' outcomes and shorten the hospital stay, surgeons throughout the world have explored the option of mini-invasive total hip arthroplasty. Exciting initial reports caught media attention, and today most patients expect mini-incision total hip replacement to reduce complication rate, accelerate rehabilitation, and provide a more attractive appearance. However, recent reports have highlighted that a shorter incision can increase the risk of perioperative complication. At the same time, studies show no difference in early rehabilitation and hospital stay between patients undergoing mini-incision and standard incision total hip arthroplasty. Although there is no question that recent advances in mini-incision total hip arthroplasty have led to significant improvements in perioperative care (preoperative patient education, anesthesia management, and postoperative rehabilitation protocols) a shorter incision might offer few clinical benefits besides a more attractive scar. The current article describes the technique of posterolateral mini-incision total hip arthroplasty and provides a review of the current literature.