Comparison of the 2-incision and mini-incision posterior total hip arthroplasty technique: a retrospective match-pair controlled study

We compared the outcomes of the mini-posterior and 2-incision total hip arthroplasty approaches by analyzing 43 matched pairs of patients. The following outcomes were evaluated: (1) Harris Hip Score, (2) Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, (3) the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale, and (4) the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index. Function was regained earlier by patients having the 2-incision total hip arthroplasty as determined by length of hospitalization (P = .002) and multiple return to function parameters, although this may be the result of hip precautions placed on the posterior group. Posterior mini-incision patients had less operating time (P < .0001) and blood loss (P = .001). Complications did not differ between surgical techniques. No patients were revised. The 2-incision operation was better for function and length of stay, and the posterior mini-incision was easier to perform, although these groups used different selection criteria.