Wound complications and clinical efficacy of the direct anterior approach versus the posterolateral approach in total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Systematic review compares wound complications and clinical outcomes of DAA and PLA in hip surgeries, suggesting benefits of DAA.
Key Points
This meta-analysis aimed to compare wound complication rates and clinical outcomes between the direct anterior approach (DAA) and the posterolateral approach (PLA) in total hip arthroplasty (THA).
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted.
Eighteen eligible RCTs were included, involving 1,485 patients.
Data extraction and statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager and Stata for wound complications and clinical outcomes.
DAA showed a decreased rate of incisional infection (RR = 0.48, P = 0.03) compared to PLA.
DAA associated with lower overall wound complications (RR = 0.58, P = 0.04).
DAA resulted in shorter incision length (MD = -3.44, P < 0.001) and reduced intraoperative blood loss (MD = -76.74, P < 0.001).