Learning Curve for Short-Stem Total HIP Arthroplasty through an Anterolateral Approach
Martin Bischofreiter,
Christina Kölblinger,
Thomas Stumpner,
Michael Stephan Gruber,
Michael Gattringer,
Harald Kindermann,
Georg Mattiassich,
Reinhold Ortmaier
Affiliations
Martin Bischofreiter
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ordensklinikum Barmherzige Schwestern Linz, Vinzenzgruppe Center of Orthopedic Excellence, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Christina Kölblinger
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ordensklinikum Barmherzige Schwestern Linz, Vinzenzgruppe Center of Orthopedic Excellence, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Thomas Stumpner
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ordensklinikum Barmherzige Schwestern Linz, Vinzenzgruppe Center of Orthopedic Excellence, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Michael Stephan Gruber
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ordensklinikum Barmherzige Schwestern Linz, Vinzenzgruppe Center of Orthopedic Excellence, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Michael Gattringer
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ordensklinikum Barmherzige Schwestern Linz, Vinzenzgruppe Center of Orthopedic Excellence, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Harald Kindermann
Department of Marketing and Electronic Business, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, 4400 Steyr, Austria
Georg Mattiassich
Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Clinic Diakonissen Schladming, 8970 Schladming, Austria
Reinhold Ortmaier
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ordensklinikum Barmherzige Schwestern Linz, Vinzenzgruppe Center of Orthopedic Excellence, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Background and Objectives: Short-stem total hip arthroplasty has become increasingly popular in recent years. While many studies have shown excellent clinical and radiological results, very little is known about the learning curve for short-stem total hip arthroplasty through an anterolateral approach. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the learning curve for short-stem total hip arthroplasty among five residents in training. Materials and Methods: We performed retrospective data analysis of the first 30 cases of five randomly selected residents (n = 150 cases) with no experience before the index surgery. All patients were comparable, and several surgical parameters and radiological outcomes were analyzed. Results: The only surgical parameter with a significant improvement was the surgical time (p = 0.025). The changes in other surgical parameters and radiological outcomes showed no significant changes; only trends can be derived. As a result, the correlation between surgical time, blood loss, length of stay, and incision/suture time can also be seen. Only two of the five residents showed significant improvements in all examined surgical parameters. Conclusions: There are individual differences among the first 30 cases of the five residents. Some improved their surgical skills faster than others. It could be assumed that they assimilated their surgical skills after more surgeries. A further study with more than 30 cases of the five surgeons could provide more information on that assumption.
