Complications after minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty

The goal of minimally invasive surgery in total hip arthroplasty (MIS-THA) is reduction of surgical trauma without any limitations regarding exposure of the femur and acetabulum to achieve reproducible results. Despite improved instrumentation the implementation of these techniques is associated with a risk of higher complication rates. The article describes specific and unspecific complications of MIS-THA and gives hints and tips on how to avoid them. In a retrospective study 152 THA revisions following MIS-THA were examined and an error analysis was performed. The study of 152 MIS-THA revisions included 87 female and 65 male patients. A gender-specific incidence of complications could not be found. The most common indication for revision surgery was due to recurrent dislocation. An increased incidence of fractures of the greater trochanter was observed using the anterolateral approach with the patient in a supine position. The MIS-THA procedure contributes to excellent early rehabilitation when performed correctly. The muscle preserving aspect can be counted as an advantage particularly for young patients. This patient collective has a high risk to undergo revision surgery.