Extract
During the last decade, a number of so-called minimally invasive techniques
have been proposed for total hip arthroplasty. The initial reports suggested
the possibility of better early functionality, less blood loss (and hence
decreased transfusion rates), and a shorter hospital
stay1. Subsequent
reports have shown no appreciable difference in these parameters when
comparing traditional and so-called minimally invasive
techniques2-5.
Early techniques, however, were associated with a relatively high complication
rate. These complications most commonly included component malposition,
increased blood loss, nerve injury, and
fracture6-9.