German surgeons’ technical preferences for performing total hip arthroplasties: a survey from the National Endoprosthesis Society

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The goal of our study was to conduct an online survey that highlights patterns of practice during total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods The survey was conducted in June and August 2020. Three hundred thirteen members of the German Society for Endoprosthesis participated in the survey. Results The anterolateral approach is by far the most popular approach used for primary total hip arthroplasty, followed by the anterior approach during minimally invasive (55% for the anterolateral and 29% for the anterior) and regular surgery (52% for the anterolateral and 20% for the anterior). Two-thirds of the orthopaedic surgeons do not use drainages during THA. Moreover, 80% of the survey participants routinely apply tranexamic acid during surgery. Surgeons who perform minimally invasive surgery for THA use more frequently fast-track-concepts for post-operative rehabilitation. According to the interviewees, the application of fast-track-concepts leads to reduced periods of hospital stay after THA. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that patterns of practice during THA in Germany are in line with the evidence provided by current literature. This study can be seen as a stimulus to conduct similar surveys in other countries in order to promote minimally invasive surgery for THA.