2021 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster
The Surgeon Mentor Program: Outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty via the Direct Anterior Approach
Christopher J. Wilson, A/Prof, MBChB, MRCS, FRACS, PhD, Adelaide, SA AUSTRALIA
Melinda Jiang, MD, Adelaide, SA AUSTRALIA
Mark Inglis, FRACS BMBS B Med Sci FOrthoA, Adelaide, South Australia AUSTRALIA
David Morris, MD, Adelaide, SA AUSTRALIA
Nathan Eardley-Harris , MBBS, MClinSc, Adelaide, SA AUSTRALIA
Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
FDA Status Not Applicable
Summary
The direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty surgery has been increasing in popularity. The DAA has been described as having a steep learning curve owing to its greater risk of complications when first using the approach. The aim of this study was to design and implement a specific surgeon mentor program to reduce the learning curve of the DAA.
ePosters will be available shortly before Congress
Abstract
Background
The direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty surgery has been increasing in popularity due to potential benefits including less pain, faster recovery, decreased risk of dislocation, and a reduced length of stay. The DAA has been described by many to have a steep learning curve owing to its greater risk of complications when first using the approach. The primary aim of this study was to design and implement a specific surgeon mentor program in attempt to reduce the learning curve of the DAA.
Methods
Surgeons completed a surgical education and mentoring program designed to reduce the learning curve risk in a public hospital setting. A retrospective review of clinical and radiological outcomes on the first 67 cases was then conducted. Of these, 43 cases were eligible for inclusion as they used the same implant system. The 43 patients in this study had a mean age of 66.7, BMI of 26.7 and 57% were female. Follow up was between 39 and 49 months, with a mean of 46 months.
Results
There were no fractures, dislocations or blood transfusions. One patient required revision for deep infection. The mean length of stay was 2.81 days. At 6 weeks post-operative, 86% were independently mobile, 9.3% were using a cane and 4.7% were being weaned off a walker. The radiological assessments found a mean cup abduction of 39.9 ± 5.1o, mean femoral offset of 1.6 ± 5.5mm and total hip offset of 1.3 ± 7 mm greater than the contralateral hip. Patients had a mean leg length discrepancy of -0.9 ± 5.9mm.
Conclusions
A surgeon mentoring program was designed and implemented to reduce the learning curve of the DAA in our centre, with satisfactory three-year clinical and radiological outcomes achieved. This study provides preliminary support for the potential utility of the mentoring program in facilitating other centres in safely introducing the DAA into their practice without an initial increase in complication rate and associated cost to their centre.