Direct Anterior Approach Total Hip Replacement with Cosmetic Bikini Incision
Chronic hip pain affects everyday life, from walking down the stairs to exercising and even sleeping. If conservative treatments fail to relieve the pain, hip replacement surgery is a solution that can restore your quality of life. The Direct Anterior Approach Total Hip Replacement is an advanced surgical technique that has gained popularity in recent years. In addition to ensuring safe and effective approach to hip replacement, this technique enhances the patient experience by reducing postoperative pain, minimising the size of the incision, and promoting a faster recovery.
There is less pain, as no muscles are cut
Many people worry about hip replacement surgery. However, today’s medical science has led to a new technique: Direct Anterior Approach Total Hip Replacement. During surgery, the patient lies on their back, and a special tool will be placed between the Tensor Fascia Lata and the Sartorius muscle. Throughout the procedure, no muscles are cut, Therefore the procedure results in less pain and a quick recovery after surgery, and the patient can walk without limping. Compared with traditional surgical approaches, which cuts the gluteus medius muscle (hip abductor) at the hip which can increase postoperative pain and prolong recovery. The direct anterior approach technique reduces the risk of hip dislocation after surgery because the back muscles are not cut. Because of its anterior approach, the technique improves the accuracy of leg length control, as the doctor utilizes Digital Template Surgical Planning to plan and select the proper implant size before surgery together with a C-arm X-ray to precisely position the implant in the optimal position during the operation.
Compared with traditional hip replacement techniques, the Direct Anterior Approach preserves the surrounding muscles, resulting in less postoperative pain, a faster recovery, and a lower risk of hip dislocation. Traditional approaches require surgeons to cut muscles and soft tissues to access the hip joint, often requiring a larger 6–8 inch incision and increasing the likelihood of prolonged recovery, implant malposition, and leg-length discrepancy.
Smaller Scar, Better Cosmetic Results
One of the key cosmetic advantages of the Direct Anterior Approach is the Bikini Incision which is carefully placed to minamise visable scarring. During the procedure, the surgeon makes the incision along the direction of collagen fibers of the outer layer, called the dermis, in the same direction as the deep muscle line. The incision follows the natural direction of the Langer’s line. Plastic surgeons commonly use this technique to hide incision marks and retain the body’s natural appearance, This technique also promotes better healing of incisions. The surgeon will hide the small surgical incision, about 3 to 4 inches in length, within the groin area on the patient’s bikini line to reduce the postoperative scar; earlier conventional surgical techniques often produced Keloid scars.
There are also other advantages, such as the following:
- Digital Template Surgical Planning improves the accuracy of hip size selection and positioning by using a computerized system.
- The problem of unequal leg length after surgery is reducedbecause the surgery is by front access and the patient lies flat, enabling the leg length to be confirmed and the hip position measured properly during surgery.
- The technique reduces the rate of hip dislocation after surgery as no muscles are cut; also, by using the new version of Actis STEM, provides enhanced implant stability.
- Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) Bikini Incision reduces the chance of developing visible scaring.
- Suitable for Bilateral Simultaneous Total Hip Replacements
- The patient will typically have a faster recovery period and will be able to walk without a cane earlier than normally expected after a hip replacement and return to normal life faster, because no muscles are cut during surgery.
- Get back to your normal life with the option of a ceramic implant, which offers excellent durability and wear resistance compared with other types of materials, making them a suitable choice for patients aged 30 and up.
- Experienced Surgeon Care is provided by hip and knee specialists who are internationally trained in Canada and USA regarding to the Direct Anterior Approach Hip Replacement and with extensive experience in this type of surgery. They have been invited to lecture about this new hip implant technique at medical schools and faculties nationwide and across the Asia Pacific region.
