MicroHip: a minimally invasive procedure for total hip replacement surgery using a modified Smith-Peterson approach

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Traditional hip surgery often involves extensive dissection and longer recovery times.
• Anterior approaches offer potential benefits but can be technically demanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel anterior, minimally invasive surgical approach for hip arthroplasty.
• To detail the technique, instrumentation, and early outcomes of the MicroHip procedure.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes an inter-nervous plane approach with a small incision (< 6-8 cm).
• Performed in lateral decubitus position without traction, using standard and specific instruments.
• Involves in situ femoral neck osteotomy without hip dislocation.

Main Results:

• Several hundred MicroHip operations performed with no reported nerve lesions or trochanter fractures.
• Demonstrates excellent visualization of the acetabulum and proximal femur.
• Potential for nearly halving hospitalization time, pain, blood loss, and work incapacity.

Conclusions:

• The MicroHip technique is a viable anterior minimally invasive hip surgery.
• It offers significant patient benefits and can be adopted by trained surgeons.
• Further studies are needed to confirm long-term definitive results.