title: Surgical technique: a simple soft-tissue-only repair of the capsule and external rotators in posterior-approach THA.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Posterior soft tissue repair after posterior THA reportedly decreases the risk of dislocation. Previously described techniques often require drill holes through the greater trochanter, do not include both the short external rotators and the capsule, or require a complex series of multiple sutures. We therefore describe a technique to address these issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  The posterior soft tissues were repaired with a single nonabsorbable suture passed through the external rotators and posterior capsule and then through the capsule and posterior border of minimus in a figure-of-eight pattern. This repair remains pliable and obliterates the dead space.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 165 patients who underwent 178 primary THAs through a mini-posterior THA and also underwent soft tissue repair using our technique. We determined the rate of dislocation and complications associated with this technique. The minimum clinical followup was 1 year (mean, 23 months; range, 12-37 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  This repair was associated with a low risk of dislocation at 1 year (one of 178 hips, 0.56%) and no apparent complications related to the technique.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This soft tissue to soft tissue repair technique after posterior-approach THA is technically straightforward and reliable with a low associated dislocation rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, PO Box 800159, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. jab8hd@virginia.edu
authors: James A
authors: JA
authors: Browne
authors: Mark W
authors: MW
authors: Pagnano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000601:surgery*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult