Minimal invasive surgery for hip replacement: a new technique using the NILNAV hip system.
BACKGROUND
Minimal invasive surgical techniques are used for cruciate ligament reconstructions, unicondylar knee replacements and, more recently, for fixation of fractures. This is a report of the first instrumented technique for hip replacement using a 5-cm incision without the need for a navigation system or X-rays.


METHODS
It uses the C.F.P stem (LINK) but is universal. It includes jigs for the osteotomy of the neck, a right-angled reamer and spacers (lollipops) to orientate the acetabular cup to the femoral stem. A case series of 14 patients using this new hip replacement technique (called NILNAV Hip System) is reported.


RESULTS
The procedure was successfully performed on all seven patients, with reduced postoperative pain and stiffness, and increased quality of life and functional status. All patients were discharged on postoperative Days 1 and 2 with minimal pain and blood loss.


CONCLUSIONS
This new minimal access total hip replacement technique was successfully performed on seven patients. There are several advantages of using this system compared with the more traditional techniques. Such a technique should help reduce morbidity and mortality rates for those patients undergoing a total hip replacement.
Sherry
Eugene
E
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia. esherry@telstra.com
Egan
Michael
M
Warnke
Patrick H
PH
Henderson
Antony
A
Eslick
Guy D
GD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography