Minimally invasive total hip replacement with the patient in the supine position and the contralateral leg elevated.

OBJECTIVE: Supine positioning of the patient taking into account - the demands of anesthesia in an emergency requiring intubation, - minimal time for sterile draping, - patient position can be adjusted by the assistants, - easier implant positioning due to the supine position. Reduction of operative trauma with earlier mobilization and shorter rehabilitation time compared with conventional technique. Application of standard instruments and implants.

INDICATIONS: Coxarthroses, necroses of the femoral head.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: For the "gynecologic position": - hip joint arthrodesis of the contralateral side. - flexion of the contralateral side < 20 degrees . For minimally invasive total hip replacement: - severe anatomic deformities. - revision operations. POSITIONING AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Supine position of the patient with the contralateral leg held at approximately 30 degrees flexion in a gynecologic footrest attached to the operating table. Leg support that can be lowered for the leg being operated on. Minimally invasive anterolateral approach without dissection of muscles or tendons. Resection of the femoral neck and removal of the femoral head. Preparation of the acetabulum and implantation of the cup. Hyperextension of the leg by lowering the leg support with subsequent adduction and external rotation beneath the elevated contralateral leg. Preparation of the femur and implantation of the stem with subsequent repositioning and wound closure.

RESULTS: 185 total hip replacements were performed with this positioning and surgical technique from September 2004 to June 2005. The first 108 minimally invasive procedures were compared with 117 conventional procedures. The patients operated in minimally invasive technique generally did better in terms of operating time, blood loss, use of analgesics, rehabilitation time, and functional outcomes. In seven patients, shaft fissures occurred within the first 3 months due to too abrupt intraoperative dislocation of the leg (learning curve!), but were all treated by application of cerclage and healed uneventfully.