Isolate acetabular cup revision through the direct anterior hip approach: surgical technique, early experience and review of the literature

Direct anterior approach to the hip allows perfect exposure of the acetabulum and an easy proximal and medial extension that makes it eligible for isolate acetabular cup revision although it is seldom used and there are only few published studies. On 23 consecutive acetabular revision (16 cases Paprosky grade 1 or 2, 5 cases 3A, 1 case 3B and 1 case 4) at an average 28-month follow up, we did not record failures or major complications. Early complications included prolonged wound healing in 4 cases and transient femoral cutaneous nerve palsy in 2 cases, the mean postoperative Harris Hip Score was 82.2 with 82.5% of excellent and good results. Our results are consistent with those reported in the literature with similar techniques. The direct anterior approach has shown excellent results for isolated cup revision, though is probably better suited for surgeons that have some experience with the same approach for primary cases.