Surgical approaches for primary total hip arthroplasty: a prospective comparison of the Marcy modification of the Gibson and Watson-Jones approaches

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) was performed in 74 consecutive patients alternating the Marcy modification of the Gibson and the Watson-Jones approaches. Comparable series of 37 cases each showed similar operative times, placement of implants, and complications. No particular advantage or disadvantage was observed between these two approaches. Both allow retention of the greater trochanter for primary THA.