Mini-incision Arthroplasty May Have Worse Cosmetic Outcome Than Standard-incision Surgery

Ironically, mini-incision hip arthroplasty may have a worse cosmetic outcome than standard-incision surgery.

"Sear cosmesis is one of the proposed benefits of mini-incision total hip replacement as opposed to standard-incision procedures; however, there has been no scientific proof of this clinical outcome," according to orthopedic surgeons in California.

In a study conducted by C.S. Mow and coauthors at the Menlo Medical Clinic, the "cosmetic appearances of healed incisions of 34 primary total hip replacement procedures done by one surgeon using either a mini-incision (20 procedures) or a standard-length incision (14 procedures) were compared at an average of 2 years postoperatively."

"Each scar's appearance was graded independently by two plastic surgeons using a standardized rating system," the researchers noted. "Patients answered a questionnaire regarding their subjective assessment of their scar."

"The blinded observers found that more miniscars (6 of 20) were rated poor than standard scars (1 of 14), and that more standard-incision patients had scars that were rated good," according to the study report. "More mini-incision patients (2 of 20 versus 0 of 14) had wound-healing problems."

"All the patients thought that their hip scar was acceptable in appearance, but 30 of 31 patients rated the relief of pain and total hip replacement longevity as higher priorities than scar cosmesis," published data showed.

"The cosmesis of mini-incision total hip replacement scars may be inferior to standard-incision scars because of skin and soft tissue damage produced by high retractor pressures needed for exposure using a limited skin incision," the investigators concluded."

Also see; arthroscopic hip surgery.

About The Author:

C.S. Mow is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.hip-replacement-care.com. Information on hip replacement; the cause, diagnosis, symptoms, surgery and treatment for recovery and rebuilding your body.