TY - JOUR T1 - Surgical approach in primary total hip arthroplasty: anatomy, technique and clinical outcomes JF - Canadian Journal of Surgery JO - CAN J SURG SP - 128 LP - 139 DO - 10.1503/cjs.007214 VL - 58 IS - 2 AU - Stephen Petis AU - James L. Howard AU - Brent L. Lanting AU - Edward M. Vasarhelyi Y1 - 2015/04/01 UR - http://canjsurg.ca/content/58/2/128.abstract N2 - Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has revolutionized the treatment of hip arthritis. A number of surgical approaches to the hip joint exist, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. The most commonly used approaches include the direct anterior, direct lateral and posterior approaches. A number of technical intricacies allow safe and efficient femoral and acetabular reconstruction when using each approach. Hip dislocation, abductor insufficiency, fracture and nerve injury are complications of THA, although their relative risk varies by approach. Numerous clinical trials have sought to elicit differences in patient-reported outcomes, complication rates and return to function among the surgical approaches. This review outlines some of the technical pearls of performing a THA through either a direct anterior, direct lateral or posterior approach. A literature review outlines the impact of surgical approach on clinical outcomes and clinically relevant complication rates. ER -