title: [Anterolateral approach for minimally invasive hip surgery].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The approach for total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a mini-incision has been used progressively to decrease morbidity, achieve prompt patient recovery without an increased risk and shorten the hospital stay. However, the advantages and probable complications of these approaches are not clear. The objective of this paper is to compare the preliminary perioperative results of two groups of patients undergoing THA, one using the standard approach and the second one with a mini-incision.
  
  
  METHODS
  170 patients underwent surgery; they were divided into two groups. In group I (GI) patients an anterolateral mini-incision was performed, and in group II (GII) patients a standard Watson-Jones incision was used. Mean incision length was 8 cm in GI and 20 cm in GII.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences were found between both groups in the clinical and radiographic results and in the complications; however, a significant difference was found in the need for transfusions, wound size and hospital stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that primary THA with a mini-incision was a safe procedure that reduced the operative time without increasing the complications.
authors.affiliation: Servei de Cirurgia Ortopedica y Traumatologia Hospital del Vendrell, Carretera de Barcelona s/n. El Vendrell 43700. jmorales@xarxatecla.cat
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Morales de Cano
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Illobre
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Canosa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De la Torre
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Salgado
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods