Heterotopic Ossification in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Using the Direct Anterior vs Direct Lateral Approach

J Arthroplasty. 2017 Apr;32(4):1323-1327. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2016.11.030. Epub 2016 Nov 22.

Abstract

Background: The formation and severity of heterotopic ossification (HO) may be influenced by type of surgical approach. Our hypothesis was that because of differences in soft tissue dissection, differences exist in HO formation in primary total hip arthroplasty using direct anterior (DA) vs direct lateral (DL) approach.

Methods: A total of 1482 consecutive patients with DL (736) or DA (746) approach and similar perioperative care protocol during 2009-2011 were retrospectively studied. No patient received prophylactic radiotherapy. Preoperative and 6-month postoperative radiographs were reviewed based on Brooker classification.

Results: The incidence of overall HO was higher in DL (36.1%) vs DA group (19.4%, P < .001) but high-grade HO (Brooker ≥3) was not significantly different among the groups (3.9% for DL and 3.0% for DA groups). No patient required further surgery for HO resection.

Conclusion: The type of approach (DA vs DL) did not seem to have a major influence on the short-term incidence of high-grade HO based on this radiographic analysis.

Keywords: complication; heterotopic ossification; outcomes; surgical approach; total hip arthroplasty.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / adverse effects*
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / methods*
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ossification, Heterotopic / etiology*
  • Perioperative Care
  • Postoperative Period
  • Radiography
  • Retrospective Studies