Does stem design influence component positioning in total hip arthroplasty using a minimal invasive posterolateral approach?

Purpose

Limited data exist for the reconstructive potential of short bone-preserving stems in THA using a minimal invasive posterolateral approach. Our study aim was to assess the effect of stem design on the reconstruction of hip offset and leg length in MIS posterolateral THA.

Methods

This retrospective consecutive single-surgeon study compares hip offset and leg length, as well as acetabular component positioning (cup anteversion; inclination) of 129 THAs with a cementless standard-length stem (Synergy®) and 143 THAs with a cementless short bone-preserving stem (Trilock®).

Results

In reference to the contralateral side, the mean difference in hip offset was 0.9 mm (p = 0.067) for the standard stem and 0.1 mm (p = 0.793) for the short stem, respectively. Leg-length discrepancy was 0.7 mm (Synergy®) and 0.9 mm (Trilock®), respectively. A total of 233 (86 %) acetabular components fell within the target zone for anteversion and inclination.

Conclusion

Accurate component positioning in MIS posterolateral approach THA is possible and is not influenced by the type of stem.     

Groin Pain after Metal on Metal Hip Resurfacing: Mid-Term Follow-Up of a Prospective Cohort of Patients

Background and Purpose:

Groin pain after metal on metal hip resurfacing has been previously reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the natural history of a cohort of patients with groin pain after hip resurfacing previously reported on and incidence of revision surgery.

Methods:

Our group previously reported an 18% incidence of groin pain at a mean of 18 months post hip resurfacing. This cohort of groin pain patients was prospectively followed. Patients were evaluated using a visual analog pain rating score, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Physical Activity Index, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index. Functional outcome scores were compared from initial to latest follow up using the paired Student’s t test. Further diagnostic evaluation and/or intervention or other complication was also recorded.

Results:

The latest mean follow up from surgery was 63 ± 15 months. The mean pain rating, UCLA, and WOMAC scores all improved at latest follow up, although WOMAC score improvement was not statistically significant. Mean pain rating score improved from 5.2 ± 2.0 to 2.5 ± 1.4 (p = 0.0001). UCLA activity score improved from 6.4 ± 2.0 to 6.9 ± 1.6 (p = 0.03). Total WOMAC score improved from 75.6 ± 20.5 to 84.5 ± 14.8 (p = 0.15). Only one patient was revised for an adverse local tissue reaction.

Conclusion:

Groin pain post hip resurfacing has a multifactorial etiology, and in the vast majority of cases improves over time with no significant functional limitations. However, the surgeon should be aware of the many potential causes, and help minimize the possibility with proper patient selection and surgical technique.     

Are leg length and hip offset comparable after hip resurfacing and cementless total hip arthroplasty?

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine if hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) and cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) were comparable in correcting leg length and hip offset in patients with primary osteoarthritis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of 80 patients who underwent either HRA or cementless THA for primary osteoarthritis (40 in each group) between 2006 and 2008. Standardised anteroposterior radiographs taken pre-operatively and at one year following surgery were used to calculate the total offset and leg length in both hips.

RESULTS

At one year following surgery, no leg length discrepancy was identified in either group. A difference of 0.39cm (p=0.046) remained between the mean total offset of the operated hip and the contralateral non-operated hip in the HRA group. No difference in offset was observed between the two hips after surgery in the THA group (p=0.875).

CONCLUSIONS

Leg length is restored by HRA and THA. A difference remains in offset after HRA although we attribute this to intentional medialisation of the acetabular cup.     

Does total hip arthroplasty restore native hip anatomy? Three-dimensional reconstruction analysis

Purpose

Component orientations and positions in total hip arthroplasty (THA) are important parameters in restoring hip function. However, measurements using plain radiographs and 2D computed tomography (CT) slices are affected by patient position during imaging. This study used 3D CT to determine whether contemporary THA restores native hip geometry.

Methods

Fourteen patients with unilateral THA underwent CT scan for 3D hip reconstruction. Hip models of the nonoperated side were mirrored with the implanted side to quantify the differences in hip geometry between sides.

Results

The study demonstrated that combined hip anteversion (sum of acetabular and femoral anteversion) and vertical hip offset significantly increased by 25.3° ± 29.3° (range, −25.7° to 55.9°, p = 0.003) and 4.1 ± 4.7 mm (range, −7.1 to 9.8 mm, p = 0.009) in THAs.

Conclusions

These data suggest that hip anatomy is not fully restored following THA compared with the contralateral native hip.     

The value of computed tomography based navigation in revision total hip arthroplasty

Purpose

This study investigates the accuracy of a computed tomography (CT)-based navigation system for accurate acetabular component placement during revision total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of 30 hips in 26 patients who underwent cementless revision THA using a CT-based navigation system; the control group consisted of 25 hips in 25 patients who underwent cementless primary THA using the same system. We analysed the deviation of anteversion and inclination angles among the pre-operative plan, intra-operative records from the navigation system and data from postoperative CT scans.

Results

There were no significant differences between groups (P < 0.05) in terms of mean deviation between pre-operative planning and postoperative measurements or between intraoperative records and postoperative measurements.

Conclusion

CT-based navigation in revision THA is a useful tool that enables the surgeon to implant the acetabular component at the precise angle determined in pre-operative planning.     

Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty for Patients with Crowe Type III or IV Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: Two-Stage Total Hip Arthroplasty Following Skeletal Traction after Soft Tissue Release for Irreducible Hips

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) for severe developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a technically demanding procedure for arthroplasty surgeons, and it is often difficult to reduce the hip joint without soft tissue release due to severe flexion contracture. We performed two-stage THAs in irreducible hips with expected lengthening of the affected limb after THA of over 2.5 cm or with flexion contractures of greater than 30 degrees in order to place the acetabular cup in the true acetabulum and to prevent neurologic deficits associated with acute elongation of the limb. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of cementless THA in patients with severe DDH with a special focus on the results of two-stage THA.

Methods

Retrospective clinical and radiological evaluations were done on 17 patients with Crowe type III or IV developmental DDH treated by THA. There were 14 women and 3 men with a mean age of 52.3 years. Follow-ups averaged 52 months. Six cases were treated with two-stage THA followed by surgical hip liberalization and skeletal traction for 2 weeks.

Results

The mean Harris hip score improved from 40.9 to 89.1, and mean leg length discrepancy (LLD) in 13 unilateral cases was reduced from 2.95 to 0.8 cm. In the patients who underwent two-stage surgery, no nerve palsy was observed, and the single one-stage patient with incomplete peroneal nerve palsy recovered fully 4 weeks postoperatively.

Conclusions

The short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of primary cementless THA for patients with Crowe type III or IV DDH were encouraging. Two-stage THA followed by skeletal traction after soft tissue release could provide alternative solutions to the minimization of limb shortenings or LLD without neurologic deficits in highly selected patients.     

Cotyloplasty in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty for an Insufficient Acetabulum

Background

Cotyloplasty is a technique that involves making a perforation of the medial wall of a shallow acetabulum and then inserting an acetabular cup with the medial aspect of its dome beyond the Kohler line. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) using cotyloplasty with focusing on the amount of medial cup protrusion.

Methods

Sixteen hips with insufficient acetabulum in sixteen patients were treated by cementless THA using cotyloplasty. The average patient age was 47 years. The diagnoses included dysplastic hip (12) and infection sequelae (4). All the patients were followed up for at least 2 years. Clinically, the Harris hip scores were assessed and radiologically, the amount of cup protrusion, the hip center movement and cup fixation were evaluated.

Results

The average Harris hip score improved from 57 to 94 postoperatively. The average proportion of cup surface beyond the Kohler line was 44.1% and the hip centers were medialized by an average of 23 mm. Stable fixation of the acetabular cup was achieved in all the cases except one. In this one case, migration of the cup was detected 2 weeks postoperatively and a reoperation was performed.

Conclusions

Using cotyloplasty, good coverage of the acetabular cup was obtained without a block bone graft, and the hip joint centers were medialized. However, the safety margin for the amount of protrusion should be established.     

MAASH Technique for Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Capsular Work

Background

Dislocation and leg length discrepancy are major complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Many surgical approaches for THA have been described, but none suggest a capsular incision that assures good exposure while maintaining adequate capsule integrity in closure.

Purposes

Modified anterolateral approach for stable hip (MAASH) is a modification of the classical Hardinge approach, but specifically preserves the anterior iliofemoral lateral ligament and pubofemoral ligament excising the “weak area” of the capsule, in the so called “internervous safe zone” and introducing the “box concept” for the anterior approach to the hip. This is the main difference of the MAASH approach. This technique can be used as a standard for all THA standard models, but we introduce new devices to make it easier.

Methods

From November 2007 to May 2012, data were collected for this observational retrospective consecutive case study. We report the results of 100 THA cases corresponding to the development curve of this new concept in THA technique.

Results

MAASH technique offers to hip surgeons, a reliable and reproducible THA anterolateral technique assuring accurate reconstruction of leg length and a low rate of dislocation. Only one dislocation and six major complications are reported, but most of them occurred at the early stages of technique development.

Conclusion

MAASH technique proposes a novel concept on working with the anterior capsule of the hip for the anterolateral approach in total hip arthroplasty, as well as for hemiarthroplasty in the elderly population with high dislocation risk factors. MAASH offers maximal stability and the ability to restore leg length accurately.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-013-9332-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Conversion of Arthrodesis to Total Hip Arthroplasty: Clinical Outcome,Complications, and Prognostic Factors of 21 Consecutive Cases

Background

Although the results of hip arthrodesis compare favorably with those of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in younger patients, long-term consequences such as osteoarthritis of the neighboring joints may necessitate conversion of the arthrodesis to THA.

Questions/Purposes

The purpose of the present study is to assess mid-term clinical outcome and self-perceived improvement in patients who underwent conversion at our department. Secondary aims were incidence of complications and association between patient characteristics and characteristics of the fusions with the outcome of the procedure.

Patients and Methods

The study sample comprised 21 cases in 20 patients. Minimum follow-up was 3 years (mean, 8 ± 6.5 years) in 20 cases. Thirteen patients had surgical hip fusions and 7 (8 hips) had nonsurgical fusions. Mean age at the time of conversion was 58.5 years.

Results

Nineteen out of 21 cases had functioning implants at the latest follow-up visit. According to the Merle d’Aubigné scale, outcome was considered excellent, very good, or good in 15 cases. Lower back pain was reduced in all patients. All but two patients were satisfied after the conversion. The main complications observed included incomplete removal of bone block, intra-operative fractures, dislocation and damage to the femoral artery. Time to conversion and type of fusion had no significant correlation with the clinical outcome.

Conclusions

Conversion THA is a challenging but successful procedure according to the mid-term clinical outcome observed. Our study suggests that, prognostic factors should be used with caution when establishing indications and post-surgical expectations.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-013-9330-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Additive Influence of Hip Offset and Leg Length Reconstruction on Postoperative Improvement in Clinical Outcome After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background

There is a lack of prospective studies investigating the additive effect of both acetabular and femoral reconstruction parameters on the functional outcome following total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Hip resurfacing in patients under thirty years old: an attractive option for young and active patients

Purpose

Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing is offered as an alternative to traditional hip arthroplasty for young, active adults with advanced osteoarthritis. The concept of hip resurfacing is considered very attractive for this specific population (hard-on-hard bearing component with a large femoral head limiting the risk of dislocation, and allowing femoral bone stock preservation).

Methods

A prospective clinical trial was designed to investigate the outcome of hip resurfacing in young patients (under 30 years old). We studied 24 hips in 22 patients. Mean age at operation was 24.9 years (range 17.1–29.9). No patient was lost to follow-up.

Results

There was no revision at average follow-up of 50.6 months (44–59). Mean UCLA activity score improved from 5.5 (1–9) pre-operatively to 7.6 (1–10) postoperatively (p < 0.001). Mean Harris hip score increased from 43.9 (19–67) to 89.3 (55–100) (p < 0.001). Radiological analysis discerned no osteolysis and no implant migration.

Conclusion

The absence of short-term complications, such as mechanical failure or dislocation, is encouraging and leads us to think that mid-term results will be satisfactory. Moreover, the specific advantages of hip resurfacing (bone stock preservation, excellent stability, low risk of dislocation, large-diameter head) make the procedure a very attractive option for young subjects.     

Do Alumina Matrix Composite Bearings Decrease Hip Noises and Bearing Fractures at a Minimum of 5 Years After THA?

Background

Ceramic-on-ceramic bearing couples are theoretically attractive in total hip arthroplasty (THA) because of low wear, but concerns regarding ceramic fracture and squeaking have arisen. Improved material properties of newer alumina matrix composite (AMC) materials, known as Delta ceramics, may reduce these risks. In addition, the use of thinner liners and larger femoral heads may be helpful clinically to lower the rate of dislocation. However, limited short-term clinical results are available and intermediate-term effects are unclear.

Questions/purposes

(1) What is the frequency of bearing-related complications (dissociation, fracture, and noise) with ceramic-on-ceramic AMC bearings in cementless THA? (2) What other complications arose in patients treated with these bearings? (3) What are the Harris hip scores (HHS) and survivorship free from reoperation and revision at a minimum of 5 years after cementless THA performed with AMC bearings?

Methods

Over a 9-month period in 2009, one surgeon performed 125 THAs, of which 100 (80% of the total) were performed with cementless, AMC bearings. During the period in question, the exclusion criteria for this implant were primary THAs with severe acetabular or femoral bone defect and revision THAs. Of these, 94 hips (95%) in 91 patients were available for analysis at a minimum of 5 years (range, 5–6 years), because five patients (six hips) had died. Mean age at the time of arthroplasty was 55 ± 14 years. Prostheses with an identical design and Biolox^® Delta ceramics were used in all patients. Noise was classified into squeaking, clicking, grinding, and popping. Ceramic fracture, dislocation, and any other complications associated with the use of AMC ceramics were also investigated. Clinical evaluation included the modified HHS preoperatively and at each followup. Survivorship free from reoperation and revision was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Of 91 patients, four developed bearing-related complications, including one with liner dissociation despite initial square seating and three with clicking. No patients had ceramic fractures. A single event of perioperative dislocation occurred in one patient and postoperative periprosthetic fracture occurred in two hips. Mean HHS improved from 56 to 93 points at the final followup (p < 0.001). Survivorship at 5 years free from reoperation and revision was 96.8% and 97.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

Improved material properties combined with the possible use of larger diameter heads make AMC ceramics a promising alternative bearing option with seemingly comparable clinical outcomes reported by others with conventional ceramic bearings. Despite these encouraging results, however, meticulous technical precautions such as square seating and proper impaction in particular should be taken during liner insertion, because we did observe one liner dissociation and several patients with hip noises.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, therapeutic study.     

Blood Management May Have an Impact on Length of Stay After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background

The steady rise in demand for total hip arthroplasty constitutes a significant and increasing burden on health care resources. The biggest contributors to the total cost of hip replacement procedures other than the price of the implant are hospital stay and postoperative rehabilitation. Blood management is one of the most adjustable factors that can impact length of stay and cost-efficiency while improving patient safety.

Questions/Purposes

The primary purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the potential impact of blood management interventions on length of hospital stay after primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty. This was achieved by first identifying which patient and surgical factors are associated with an increased risk of prolonged hospital stay. Subsequently, the significant factors were controlled for through a multivariate regression analysis to quantify the association between blood transfusions and increased hospital stay.

Methods

Retrospectively, the study included 2,104 primary total hip replacements. Eight hundred eighty-eight procedures were performed on males and 1,216 on females, with a mean age of 64 years at the time of the surgery (range 18–94 years) and BMI of 28.6 kg/m² (range 12–51.5 kg/m²). The correlation between each factor and length of stay was analyzed separately using univariate regression analysis. Those variables with p ≤ 0.05 in the univariate model were selected for inclusion in the multivariate logistic regressions. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effect of each significant factor and derive odds ratios with adjustment for the other variables.

Results

Multivariate Poisson regression revealed that increased length of stay was significantly correlated to patient age (p = 0.05), the use of coumadin (p = 0.02) or lovenox/heparin (p = 0.007) as opposed to aspirin for anticoagulation, and allogeneic blood transfusion (p < 0.0001). The data shows that allogeneic blood transfusion is associated with a longer hospital stay regardless of absolute drop in hemoglobin level postoperatively or at discharge or the number of units transfused (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.28, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Transfusion of allogeneic blood is independently associated with increased hospital stay after total hip arthroplasty. Blood management modalities that can significantly reduce transfusion risk could impact length of stay as well as the total cost of hip replacement procedures.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-014-9384-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Influencing factors for the increased stem version compared to the native femur in cementless total hip arthroplasty

Purpose

Stem version is not always equivalent to femoral neck version (native version) in cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA). We therefore examined the discrepancy of version between the native femoral neck and stem using pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT), the level of the femur where the canal version most closely fit the stem version, and the factors influencing version discrepancy between the native femoral neck and stem.

Methods

A total of 122 hips in 122 patients who underwent primary THA using a metaphyseal-fit stem through the postero-lateral approach were included. Pre- and postoperative CT images were utilized to measure native and stem version, and the version of the femoral canal at four levels relative to the lesser trochanter.

Results

The mean native and stem versions were 28.1 ± 11.0° and 38.0 ± 11.2°, respectively, revealing increased stem version with a mean difference of 9.8° (p < 0.0001). A total of 84 hips (68.9 %) revealed an increase in version greater than 5°. Femoral canal version at the level of the lesser trochanter most closely approximated that of stem version. Among the factors analysed, both univariate and multivariate analysis showed that greater degrees of native version and anterior stem tilt significantly reduced the version discrepancy between the native femoral neck and stem version.

Conclusions

Since a cementless stem has little version adjustability in the femoral canal, these findings are useful for surgeons in preoperative planning and to achieve proper component placement in THA.     

A comparative and retrospective study of three hundred and twenty primary Charnley type hip replacements with a minimum follow up of ten years to assess wether a dual mobility cup has a decreased dislocation risk

Purpose

Mid- and long-term follow-up of Charnley total hip arthroplasty (THA) demonstrated good functional results with 85 % survivorship at 25-year follow-up. However, dislocation still remains an unsolved problem. Dislocation may occur throughout the patient’s and implant’s life. The aim of this study is to answer the question: does a dual mobility cup (DMC) decrease the dislocation risk?

Methods

We report comparative results at ten years of follow-up of two groups of primary cemented Charnley-type THA, one with a standard polyethylene cup (group 1, n = 215) and the other one with a DMC (group 2, n = 105).

Results

In group 1, 26 dislocations (12.9 %) occurred. In group 2 only one dislocation (0.9 %) occurred. This dislocation was successfully reduced by closed reduction, without any recurrence. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0018). In group 1, the reason for revision was recurrent dislocation in 21 cases. Five patients were revised for other reasons. The global revision rate was 12.9 %. In group 2, two patients needed revision surgery for aseptic loosening. The global revision rate was 2.1 %. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.054). The goal was reached for the patients of group 2 who had more risks factors for dislocation (age, aetiology, American Society of Anesthesiologists and Devane scores) than those of group 1.

Conclusions

When using a DMC, we observed a low rate of dislocation in primary THA (0.9 %). This surgical choice seems to be a safe and effective technique in Charnley-type THA, especially in a high-risk population.     

Hip score and disease activity correlation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis after total hip arthroplasty

Purpose

The disease activity score including 28 joints (DAS28), the simplified disease activity index and the clinical disease activity index (CDAI) were developed in order to provide a quantifiable measure of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity. Although inflamed hip joints greatly impact activities of daily living (ADL) and walking ability, the hip joint was not included in the DAS28, SDAI or CDAI assessments. Although excellent clinical results have been reported for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in RA patients, correlations between disease activity and hip function in RA patients after THA remain unknown.

Methods

We analysed the effect of RA disease activity on a hip function score in an observational cohort of RA patients after THA. Twenty-five registered RA patients who had undergone THA (33 joints) were included. Hip function was recorded and RA disease activity was measured on the same day. The mean age of the patients was 65.17 years. They were followed up for a mean of 5.24 years after surgery. The mean duration of disease following RA diagnosis for this patient group was 19.47 years. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) hip score was used as a clinical outcome measure for hip dysfunction. RA disease activity and health-related quality of life were measured using the DAS28, SDAI, CDAI and the modified health assessment questionnaire (MHAQ).

Results

The mean JOA score for hip function was 80.48 at the final follow-up. The mean DAS28-ESR, DAS28-CRP, SDAI, CDAI and MHAQ measuring RA disease activity levels were 3.38, 2.65, 9.59, 8.63 and 0.44, respectively, at the final follow-up. There was a significant negative correlation between the JOA hip score and all disease activity assessments observed after THA (DAS-ESR [P = 0.0067], DAS-CRP [P = 0.0008]), SDAI [P = 0.0034], CDAI [P = 0.0003]) and MHAQ [P = 0.0002]).

Conclusion

We found significant negative correlations between JOA hip scores and all disease activity assessments in RA patients treated with THA.     

Higher Prevalence of Mixed or Solid Pseudotumors in Metal-on-Polyethylene Total Hip Arthroplasty Compared With Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty and Resurfacing Hip Arthroplasty

Background

Pseudotumors are a common finding in metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) and resurfacing hip arthroplasty (RHA). However, information on pseudotumors in metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) THA is limited.

Onlay Tibial Implants Appear to Provide Superior Clinical Results in Robotic Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Background

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is an increasingly popular option for the treatment of single-compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA) in adults. Two options for tibial resurfacing during UKA are (1) all-polyethylene inlays and (2) metal-backed onlays.

Questions/Purposes

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are any differences in clinical outcomes with inlay versus onlay tibial components.

Patients and Methods

We identified 39 inlays and 45 onlays, with average 2.7- and 2.3-year follow-up, respectively, from a prospective robotic-assisted surgery database. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC), subcategorized by the pain, stiffness, and function subscores, at 2 years postoperatively. The secondary outcome was the need for secondary or revision surgery.

Results

Postoperative WOMAC pain score was 3.1 for inlays and 1.6 for onlays (p = 0.03). For 25 inlays and 30 onlays with both preoperative and postoperative WOMAC data, pain score improved from 8.3 to 4.0 for inlays versus from 9.2 to 1.7 for onlays (p = 0.01). Function score improved from 27.5 to 12.5 for inlays versus from 32.1 to 7.3 for onlays (p = 0.03). Four inlays and one onlay required a secondary or revision procedure (p = 0.18).

Conclusions

We advise using metal-backed onlays during UKA to improve postoperative clinical outcomes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-014-9421-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Outpatient Surgery as a Means of Cost Reduction in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case-Control Study

Background

The current healthcare market coupled with expedited recovery and improvements in analgesia have led to the development of total hip arthroplasty being performed as an outpatient procedure in selected patients.

Questions/Purposes

The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes and cost-effectiveness of traditional inpatient THA with outpatient hip replacement at the same facility.

Patients and Methods

This observational, case-control study was conducted from 2008 to 2011. One hundred nineteen patients underwent outpatient THA through a direct anterior approach. These cases were all performed by a single surgeon. Outpatient cases were then compared to inpatient hospital controls performed by the same surgeon at the inpatient hospital facility.

Results

Complications, length of stay, demographic data, and overall costs were compared between groups. There was no difference in complications or estimated blood loss between groups. Most notably, the average overall cost in the outpatient setting was significantly lower than inpatient, $24,529 versus $31,327 (p = 0.0001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that appropriately selected patients can undergo THA in an outpatient setting with no increase in complications and at a substantial savings to the healthcare system.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-014-9401-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.