Comparison of Perioperative Outcomes and Early Complications Between a Direct Anterior Approach or Posterolateral Approach in Simultaneous Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study

Background: Controversies remain on the best surgical approaches for unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). There are little data on simultaneous bilateral THA via direct anterior approach (SimBDAA-THA) or posterolateral approach (SimBPA-THA). Purpose: We sought to assess differences in perioperative outcomes and early medical and surgical complications between SimBDAA-THA and SimBPA-THA. Methods: This retrospective study involved patients who underwent either SimBDAA-THA in a supine position (n = 73) or SimBPA-THA in a lateral position (n = 162) at our institution from January 2015 to November 2021. The 2 groups were compared in terms of clinical and demographic characteristics, surgical parameters, and complications during 6-months of follow-up. Results: There were no differences in clinical and demographic characteristics between the 2 groups prior to surgery. Simultaneous bilateral THA via direct anterior approach significantly shortened the length of both the operation (117.50 +/- 19.42 vs 143.97 +/- 32.20 min) and the hospitalization (140.64 +/- 43.22 vs 156.24 +/- 56.64 h) but increased perioperative loss of hemoglobin (3.28 +/- 1.01 vs 3.21 +/- 2.26 g/dL). There were no significant differences between the two groups in transfusion rate; levels of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein or creatine kinase; or complications. Conclusion: This retrospective study of patients at a single institution found minimal differences in perioperative outcomes or early medical and surgical complications between SimBDAA-THA and SimBPA-THA except operative time and length of hospitalization. Larger studies with longer follow-up should be conducted to identify whether a direct anterior approach is superior to a posterolateral one.