Mini-incision posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty

We compared the short-term outcomes of 50 total hip arthroplasties performed through a mini-incision posterior approach with those of 42 arthroplasties performed through a conventional posterior approach. There were no significant differences in age, gender, and bodymass index between groups. The mean operative time was shorter (99+/-26 versus 123+/-30 min), and the peroperative mean blood loss was smaller with the mini-incision (339+/-210 versus 422+/-177 ml). There was no significant difference between groups in post-operative mean blood loss, mean inclination angle of acetabular components, percentage of hips with good inclination angle, and mean hip score at 6 months after surgery. There was one infection in the conventional group but none in the mini group. There were no dislocations or symptomatic pulmonary embolism in either group. With the mini-incision posterior approach, surgical invasion was reduced, and short-term outcome was as good as with a conventional posterior approach.