Is the alignment guide technique in total hip arthroplasty sufficient for accurate cup positioning with a modified Watson Jones approach?

PURPOSE:: Cup setting with only an alignment guide has been reported to be inaccurate in the lateral decubitus position in total hip arthroplasty (THA). We assessed the accuracy of cup positioning using only the alignment guide technique via a modified Watson Jones approach in the lateral decubitus position.

METHODS:: Two hundred hips of 189 patients underwent THA from October 2014 to September 2016 via a modified Watson Jones approach. In the final sample, 181 hips of 171 patients (35 males, 136 females) were included in this investigation. The alignment of the cup was evaluated by an anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis 1 week after surgery. Measurements were divided into safe zone determined by Callanan and Lewinnek.

RESULTS:: There were 168 (92.8%) acetabular cups that were placed within the safe zone for both inclination and anteversion based on the safe zones defined by Lewinnek, and 134 (74%) acetabular cups that were placed within the safe zone defined by Callanan. Multiple logistic analysis showed that the laterality and the addition of the confirmation method were indicators for malpositioning of combined inclination and anteversion.

CONCLUSION:: Our data suggested that even if special tools were not used in the lateral decubitus position, using only the alignment guide enabled cup positioning to be achieved with 92.8% accuracy in the Lewinnek safe zone and 74% accuracy in the Callanan safe zone. Multiple logistic analysis showed that the laterality and the addition of a confirmation alignment guide influenced the accuracy of cup positioning.