Abstract
Introduction
The supercapsular percutaneously-assisted total hip (SuperPath) replacement surgical technique was developed as a hybrid of the supercapsular (SuperCap) and percutaneously-assisted total hip (PATH) approaches. The technique does not require any muscle release and preserves the external rotators with the objectives of reducing hospital length of stay, increasing the percentage of subjects discharged home, and decreasing complications (e.g. dislocation). The purpose of this study was to evaluate these perioperative outcomes associated with a large consecutive cohort of prospectively followed subjects.
Patients and Methods
Four hundred eighty-six (486) consecutive total hip replacements (THRs) were performed using the SuperPath technique in 469 subjects between April 29, 2010 and December 31, 2013 and prospectively followed. Perioperative outcomes including length of stay, discharge status, skin-to-skin surgical time, estimated blood loss, transfusions, and complications were collected. Subjects were also evaluated using Harris Hip Scores (HHS), UCLA Activity Scores, range of motion, and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) Scores.
Results
The mean skin-to-skin operative time was 66.7 minutes (35–200), estimated blood loss was 123 mL (30–700), and only 4.3% of subjects required transfusion. Subjects had a mean length of stay of 1.4 days and 96.5% were discharged directly home. Complications included: periprosthetic fracture (1.0%), thromboembolic complications (0.4%), dislocation (0.2%), and superficial skin infection not requiring revision (0.2%). Mean HHS, UCLA Scores, and range of motion were all improved at final follow-up compared to preoperative values. Nearly 70% of subjects reported no pain as indicated by the NRS-11 and 19.7% reported mild pain was the worst they experienced at any point between discharge and 6-months follow-up.
Conclusions
These perioperative outcomes for the SuperPath technique were similar or better than those that have been reported for other surgical techniques and indicate this technique is a safe and effective alternative to other surgical techniques.
