Effect of anterior approach compared to posterolateral approach on readiness for discharge and thrombogenic markers in patients undergoing unilateral total hip arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study

Authors

Kyle N. Kunze, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA. kylekunze7@gmail.com.
Alexander S. McLawhorn, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
Kethy M. Jules-Elysee, Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.
Michael M. Alexiades, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
Natasha A. Desai, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
Yi Lin, Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.
Jonathan C. Beathe, Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.
Yan Ma, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Wei Zhang, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Thomas P. Sculco, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-2-2022

Journal

Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery

DOI

10.1007/s00402-022-04484-4

Keywords

Direct anterior approach; Discharge; Inflammation; Length of stay; Posterolateral approach; Total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is considered less invasive than the posterolateral approach (PLA), possibly leading to earlier mobilization, faster recovery, and lower levels of thrombogenic markers. The purpose of the current study was to prospectively compare readiness for discharge, rehabilitation milestones, markers of thrombosis and inflammation at 6 weeks postoperatively between DAA and PLA. METHODS: A total of 40 patients (20 anterior and 20 posterolateral) were prospectively enrolled. Readiness for discharge, length of stay (LOS), and related outcomes were additionally documented. Blood was drawn at baseline, wound closure, 5-h post-closure, and 24-h post-closure for assays of interleukin-6 (IL-6), PAP (plasmin anti-plasmin), a marker of fibrinolysis, and PF1.2 (Prothrombin fragment 1.2), a marker of thrombin generation. RESULTS: Compared to the PLA group, the DAA group was ready for discharge a mean 13 h earlier (p = 0.03), while rehabilitation milestones were met a mean 10 h earlier (p = 0.04), and LOS was 13 h shorter (p = 0.02) on average. Pain scores at all study timepoints and patient satisfaction at 6 weeks were similar (p > 0.05). At 24 h postoperatively, PAP levels were 537.53 ± 94.1 µg/L vs. 464.39 ± 114.6 µg/L (p = 0.05), and Il-6 levels were 40.94 ± 26.1 pg/mL vs. 60.51 ± 33.0 pg/mL (p = 0.03), in DAA vs. PLA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the immediate postoperative period, DAA patients were ready for discharge before PLA patients. DAA patients had shorter LOS, a lower inflammatory response, and higher systemic markers of fibrinolysis. However, these differences may not be clinically significant. Future studies with larger study populations are warranted to confirm the validity and significance of these findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Therapeutic Study.

APA Citation

Kunze, Kyle N.; McLawhorn, Alexander S.; Jules-Elysee, Kethy M.; Alexiades, Michael M.; Desai, Natasha A.; Lin, Yi; Beathe, Jonathan C.; Ma, Yan; Zhang, Wei; and Sculco, Thomas P., "Effect of anterior approach compared to posterolateral approach on readiness for discharge and thrombogenic markers in patients undergoing unilateral total hip arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1160.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1160

Department

Biostatistics and Bioinformatics