Does the Use of Intraoperative Fluoroscopy Improve Postoperative Radiographic Component Positioning and Implant Size in Total Hip Arthroplasty Utilizing a Direct Anterior Approach?

Background: The direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) has gained recent popularity, with 1 purported benefit being access to intraoperative fluoroscopy. However, there are limited data demonstrating improved component position with the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy. The aim of this study is to compare radiographic implant positioning on 2 consecutive cohorts of patients undergoing DAA THA performed by 1 surgeon either utilizing intraoperative fluoroscopy or not. We hypothesized that there would be no relevant radiographic differences between the cohorts.

Methods: Forty-two consecutive patients underwent DAA THA utilizing fluoroscopy (IFC), and 42 consecutive patients then underwent DAA THA without fluoroscopy (NFC). Using preoperative pelvis radiographs and 6-week postoperative pelvis radiographs, acetabular anteversion, inclination, femoral offset, and templated component sizes vs final intraoperatively selected sizes were recorded and compared between cohorts.

Results: Acetabular inclination was 45.0° for IFC and 45.6° for NFC ( = .629). Femoral offset difference preoperatively and postoperatively was 0.8 mm for IFC and 1.3 mm for NFC ( = .734). Number of hips within the so-called safe zone was 32 for IFC and 33 for NFC ( = .794). These all demonstrated no significant difference between the cohorts. However, acetabular anteversion was 13.7° for IFC and 11.2° for NFC ( = .02).

Conclusions: In this limited series, the routine use of intraoperative fluoroscopy did not improve implant positioning or sizing. This may be surgeon-specific or due to the result of the use of acetabular landmarks to guide placement of the components without fluoroscopy.