Anterior, posterior approaches for outpatient THA yielded similar outcomes
Orthopedics Today reports on the findings of a study led by Michael P. Ast, MD, hip and knee surgeon at HSS, which show the anterior and posterior incision approaches to total hip arthroplasty (THA) deliver equivalent outcomes.
Researchers compared length of surgery, time to ambulation, readmissions and 90-day occurance of complications among patients who underwent THA through either the anterior approach (n=69) or the posterior approach (n=69) and were discharged within 24 hours.
Results showed patients who underwent the posterior approach had time to ambulation of approximately 6.3 hours vs. 5.7 hours for patients who underwent the anterior approach. Although the two groups had no significant differences for early ambulation, researchers found early ambulation within the first 5 hours predicted earlier discharge and decreased inpatient pain medication in both groups. Researchers also noted the two groups had no significant differences in length of surgery.
“Surgeons should take comfort that whichever approach for surgery they prefer can provide high-quality outcomes in an ambulatory surgery setting, while minimizing risks through an evidence-based, structed preoperative and recovery program.” said Dr. Ast.
Read the full article at Healio.com.
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