Supercapsular Percutaneously Assisted total hip arthroplasty versus lateral approach in Total Hip Replacement. A prospective comparative study

Background: Supercapsular Percutaneously Assisted total hip arthroplasty (SuperPATH approach) is a relatively new minimal invasive approach which has been associated with encouraging postoperative outcomes. The aim of this study is to compare the minimal invasive (MIS) SuperPATHapproach with the standard modified Hardinge approach at the base of muscle damage due to serum markers, functional results and other perioperative and postoperative data. Material and methods: Forty eight (48) consecutive patients undergone primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) by the same surgeon (GD), were enrolled in our study. From this study population, the modified Hardinge approach was performed in 23 patients and the SuperPATH approach was performed in 25 patients. Soft tissue impairment was studied based on three representative markers, C-reactive-protein (CRP) and two enzymes, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). We measured these markers 10 min after surgery, on 1st and 2nd postoperative day. The levels of the perceived pain were evaluated according to the Visual Analog Scale/Numerical Rating Scale (VAS/NRS) score which was registered 6 h, 12 h, 1 day and 2 days postoperatively. The functional and clinical evaluation of the patients was achieved with Harris Hip Score (HHS), Charnley's Hip score, EuroQol (EQ-5D)-(EQ-100), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and neuropathic pain questionnaire (DN-4) 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. The rest of the collected data included patient's age, gender, body mass index (BMI), other comorbitities, the American Society of Anesthiologists score (ASA), Charlson Index score, the pre-operative diagnosis, implant positioning through radiographic evaluation, the type of anesthesia, the days of hospitalization, the operating time, incision length, blood loss and blood transfusion requirements and complication rates. Results: SuperPATH approach was related with statistically considerable lower levels of CRP at 10 min (p = 0,001) and at 24 h (p = 0,047) postoperatively, as well as lower LDH levels in all time points postoperatively. It was also associated with shorter incision length (p < 0.001), longer operating time (p < 0.001), higher mean cup inclination p < 0.001, decreased postoperative pain levels the first 6 and 12 h (p < 0.001) and relatively better clinical and functional results 6 months after surgery, but not at 12 months. Conclusion: Our study revealed some advantages in favor of the SuperPATH approach comparing with the standard modified Hardinge approach, mainly in terms of less muscle damage and less perceived pain postoperatively. More research is required in order to further elucidate its efficacy.