This study demonstrates that appropriately selected patients can undergo THA in an outpatient setting with no increase in complications and at a substantial savings to the healthcare system.

The direct anterior approach (DAA) to the hip was initially described in the 19th century and has been used sporadically for total hip arthroplasty (THA). In the past decade, enthusiasm for the approach has been renewed because of increased demand for minimally invasive techniques. New surgical instruments and tables designed specifically for use with the DAA for THA have made the approach more accessible to surgeons. Some authors claim that this approach results in less muscle damage and pain as well as rapid recovery, although limited data exist to support these claims. The DAA may be comparable to other THA approaches, but there is no evidence to date that shows improved long-term outcomes for patients. The steep learning curve and complications unique to this approach (fractures and nerve damage) have been well described. However, the incidence of these complications decreases with greater surgeon experience. A question of keen interest to hip surgeons and patients is whether the DAA results in improved early outcomes and long-term results comparable to those of other approaches for THA.

Our study suggests that different stem alloys, stem geometries, or neck geometries can have an impact on the frequency of squeaking following a ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty.

No abstract

The correlation between season (fall, winter, spring, and summer) and infection rate in surgical patients is well defined in many specialties. To the authors' knowledge, there are no data in the literature on this phenomenon in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. They hypothesized that there would be an increased infection rate in the summer months in patients undergoing elective total joint arthroplasty. They retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients undergoing elective total hip or knee arthroplasty at a single institution during 1 year by a single surgeon. Wound infections were defined as any patient requiring oral antibiotics for cellulitis, readmission for intravenous antibiotics, a return to the operating room for irrigation and debridement, or excisional arthroplasty and placement of a cement spacer within 90 days of the initial procedure. Seventeen of 750 patients developed an infection, for an overall incidence of 2.2%. There was a statistically significant difference in infection rate according to season: 3 (1.5%) infections occurred in winter, 1 (0.5%) in spring, 9 (4.7%) in summer, and 4 (2.4%) in fall. The incidence was highest during July (4.5%), August (5.4%), and September (4.3%). There was a statistically significant difference in infection rate between summer/fall (3.6%) vs winter/spring (1.0%). There is an increase in the incidence of infection during summer months for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. The authors recommend increased surveillance and more thorough preoperative sterilization procedures during these warmer months.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract