Soft Tissue Coverage Options Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: What to Do When a Wound Breaks Down

Wound complications following total hip arthroplasty are a challenging issue facing surgeons, with rates reported anywhere from 1 to 12% of patients. There currently exists a paucity of literature detailing the options for surgeons who encounter soft tissue defects or closure difficulties following total hip arthroplasty. With the increasing popularity of using the anterior and lateral approaches for more complex arthroplasty revisions and reconstructions, detailing options for soft tissue coverage options may prove valuable. This article will provide an overview of soft tissue coverage options for the anterior, posterior, and alternate approaches, and when a plastic surgeon should be consulted for assistance.