Single-incision, minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty: length doesn't matter.

A pilot cohort study of 60 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) was undertaken to evaluate the technical aspects and possible clinical advantages of performing THA through a single-incision, minimally invasive, 10-cm-length, direct lateral approach compared with the same approach performed through a standard-length skin incision. We could not show any significant difference with regard to operative time; in-hospital equianalgesic opioid consumption; postoperative blood loss; complications; hospital length of stay; or flexion, Harris Hip and Oxford Scores at 6 weeks' postoperatively. Restricting the length of skin incision for THA performed through a direct lateral approach does not appear to afford any clinical advantage to the patient in the short term. The mini-exposure creates technical challenges that have the potential to adversely affect primary THA outcome.