A retrospective research of combined anterior and posterior approach in total hip arthroplasty for fused/ankylosed hips

Peiliang FU; Wei XIN; Xiang LI; Yancheng CHEN; Dawei NIU; Xiaohua LI; Qirong QIAN

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To investigate the safety and efficacy of a combined anterior and posterior approach in total hip arthroplasty (THA) for fused/ankylosed hip.

Methods:

37 patients who underwent THA for fused/ankylosed hip from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 28 males and 9 females, with an average age of 47.9±12.0 years (range, 26-72 years). Etiologies included 23 cases of ankylosing spondylitis, 9 cases of infectious arthritis of the hip in youth, and 5 cases of traumatic arthritis after acetabulum or femoral neck fracture. All patients underwent THA with combined anterior and posterior approach. These factors include operation time, blood loss, amount of transfused blood, blood transfusion rate, preoperative and postoperative Harris score, postoperative range of motion of the hip, and perioperative complications, etc. were evaluated. Postoperative radiography of the hip was performed to evaluate acetabular abduction angle, anterior inclination angle, the prosthesis fixation, osteolysis and heterotopic ossification around the hip.

Results:

A total of 37 patients were enrolled. The mean operative time was 147.6±16.8 min (range, 129-190 min); the mean estimated blood loss (EBL) was 850.0±10.8 ml (range, 600-1,200 ml); the blood transfusion rate was 59% (22/37), and the mean blood transfusion was 420±45.0 ml (range, 0-800 ml). All patients were followed up for 4.2±0.9 years (range, 1.2-7.2 years). The average abductor angle of the acetabular was 43.7°±5.4° (range, 31°-55°), and the average inclination angle was 20.9°±6.7° (range, 10°-35°); the preoperative Harris score was 47.1±9.9 (range, 40-55) and the mean Harris score at the last follow-up was 83.4±12.4 (range, 75-90). The preoperative range of motion of the hip in all directions was 0°. Postoperative hip range of motion was good, with a mean hip flexion of 95.5°±12.2° (range, 80°-110°), mean extension of 10.5°±3.4° (range, -10°-25°), and mean abduction of 38.0°±8.2° (range, 10°-50°). Postoperative complications were minor, including 2 case with poor wound healing, 2 cases with paresthesia or tingling sensation in the anterior or anterolateral thigh, which returned to normal within 3 months after surgery, and no deep infection or dislocation occurred. The acetabular cup was in poor position in 2 cases and the femoral stem was varus in 1 case, but the prosthesis was stable and no treatment was needed. All the acetabular cups and femur stems were confirmed with bone ingrowth on the last follow-up radiographs, and one patient had heterotopic ossification (Brooker grade 1). No osteolysis or wear of the acetabular liner was observed.

Conclusion:

Combined anterior and posterior approach (Gibson posterolateral approach + modified Hardinge approach) in THA for fusion/ankylosed hip can fully expose the operative field and sufficiently release the soft tissue, and the function of hip recovered well postopratively.