A NEW SURGICAL TECHNIQUE FOR THE POSITIONING OF HIP PROSTHETIC IMPLANTS: THE MEDIAL-INGUINAL APPROACH

Introduction seeking full compliance with the Tissue Sparing Surgery principles, we introduced this new surgical approach to the coxa-femoral joint via the medial inguinal region. Patients/Materials and Methods we performed total hip arthroplasty on 20 patients suffering from hip arthritis while 15 cases of medial femoral fracture received hemiarthroplasty with bipolar prostheses implants. Results reduced surgery times, lower blood loss, zero complications and significantly speedier recovery were observed in all the above cases. Discussion/ Conclusion this new surgical approach we devised enables a quick, safe and easy replacement of the hip. The muscles of the hip remain totally unharmed; maximum exposure is gained, with visualization of the acetabulum, directly fronting the surgeon, at its very best, favourably comparing with any other known approach. No particular equipment is needed and no special operating table. And it does not in the least imply a steep learning curve. Dislocation risks are non-existent allowing the patient any position in bed immediately after surgery. It is aesthetically preferable, the scar remaining almost invisible in between the inguinal skin lines. The patient can at once resume a steady walk, Canadian crutches being needed only for the first few days. It is the authors9 opinion that such a technique, thanks to its being safe, fast, economical and easy to replicate, results in undoubted benefits for the patient, not least because it requires much shorter and far easier rehabilitation; and it can be counted as a valid alternative for surgeons to the most common approaches currently in use.