The minimally invasive anterolateral approach versus the traditional anterolateral approach (Watson-Jones) for hip hemiarthroplasty after a femoral neck fracture: an analysis of clinical outcomes

Purpose The minimally invasive (MI) anterolateral approach is a relatively new approach for the treatment of femoral neck fractures with a hemiarthroplasty (HA). There is limited research available presenting clinical outcomes after an HA using the MI approach. Therefore the aim of the present study was to compare clinical outcomes of the MI and traditional anterolateral approaches in patients after HA. Methods Data were extracted from a prospective hip fracture database and completed by retrospective review of the electronic medical records. Patients undergoing HA in a level II trauma teaching hospital between 1 January 2011 and 1 May 2016 were enrolled. Results A total of 463 patients (67% female), 223 in the MI group (mean age, 82 ± 7) and 240 (mean age, 81 ± 8) in the traditional anterolateral group were enrolled. No significant difference was found in baseline characteristics. The surgeons experience measured by the operations performed per year was in favour of the MI anterolateral group (26 vs 18, p