Background: The aim of this study was to compare the stem alignment and the quality of cement mantle of collarless polished tapered cemented stems inserted through the direct anterior approach (DAA) and the direct lateral approach (DLA).
Methods: A comparative retrospective study of 232 hybrid total hip arthroplasties using a cemented collarless polished tapered stem through either the DAA (n = 147) or DLA (n = 85) was performed. Radiographic evaluation included stem alignment, cement mantle quality, and cement mantle thickness.
Results: On anteroposterior radiographs, stems implanted through the DLA were more likely to be in neutral alignment, than those implanted through the DAA (83.5%[n = 71] versus 71.4% [n = 105]; P = <.001). No difference between approaches was noted for stem alignment on lateral radiographs or cement mantle quality. Multivariate analysis revealed factors associated with suboptimal cement mantle and included Dorr type B or C femur as well as male gender. A mean cement mantle thickness ≥2mm was achieved in all Gruen zones for both approaches.
Conclusion: In our series, the DAA was associated with a higher incidence of coronal plane stem malalignment compared to the DLA when using cemented tapered polished femoral components for total hip arthroplasty. No difference in lateral stem alignment or cement mantle quality was found.
Keywords: cemented stem; direct anterior approach; direct lateral approach; hybrid total hip arthroplasty; total hip arthroplasty.
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