Outcome of Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty Complicated by Superficial Wound Dehiscence Requiring Irrigation and Debridement.

BACKGROUND: Superficial wound dehiscence after total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed through the direct anterior approach (DAA) can be treated with superficial irrigation and debridement (I&D). The incidence and treatment of this complication has been described, but there are little data on the outcomes after a superficial I&D have not been described. The purpose of this paper was to examine the clinical outcomes of DAA THAs requiring postoperative superficial I&D.

METHODS: A retrospective review of 1573 THAs performed using the DAA were identified utilizing a prospectively collected, single-institution joint registry. Of these 1573 cases, 18 THAs in 18 patients (1.1%) underwent a superficial I&D for superficial wound dehiscence. Outcomes studied included prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after superficial I&D, revisions, re-reoperations, complications, and clinical outcome scores.

RESULTS: Survivorship from superficial I&D at 1, 2, and 5 years postoperatively was 98.6% at all time points. In the 18 patients who underwent superficial I&D, this was performed an average of 37 (range 12-83) days after their THA. Female gender (hazard ratio 5.5, 95% confidence interval 1.20-32.34, P = .0271) was associated with a higher risk of undergoing superficial I&D as was body mass index >30 kg/m2 (P = .0028), >35 kg/m2 (P < .0001), and >40 kg/m2 (P = .0037). At average follow-up of 2.2 (range 0.2-5.5) years, 0 patients developed PJI. Complications included femoral revision for a painful fibrously ingrown femoral component (1), pulmonary embolus (1), and death from respiratory failure (1). Postoperative Harris Hip Scores averaged score was 86.8 (range 57-99).

CONCLUSIONS: Superficial wound dehiscence requiring superficial I&D after DAA THA occurs in about 1%-2% of patients with low risk of subsequent PJI.