Changing Surgical Approach From Primary to Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty Is Not Associated With Increased Risk of Dislocation or Re-Revisions

Background: No prior studies have examined outcomes based on approach concordance between primary and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). There is theoretical concern that performing surgery through multiple planes could potentiate dislocation risk. This study aimed to assess the impact of utilizing concordant vs discordant surgical approaches between primary and revision THA on incidence of dislocation, re-revision, reoperation, and nonoperative complications. Methods: Between 2000 and 2018, 705 revision THAs were retrospectively identified in patients who underwent primary THA at the same academic center. Surgical approach was determined for primary and revision THA from operative notes with dislocations, re-revisions, reoperations, and complications determined from our total joint registry. Complication rates were compared between those with concordant and discordant surgical approaches. Mean age was 65 years, 50% were female, mean body mass index was 31 kg/m², and mean follow-up was 4 years. Results: Surgical approach discordance occurred in 97 cases (14%), which was more frequent when the direct anterior approach was used for primary THA (72%, P < .001) compared to lateral (12%) or posterior (10%) approaches. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of dislocations, re-revisions, reoperations, and nonoperative complications among those with concordant and discordant approaches for the overall cohort and when analyzed by primary approach (P > .05 for all). Conclusion: Comparable dislocation and complication rates were observed among revision THAs with concordant and discordant approaches between primary and revision THA. These data provide reassurance that changing vs maintaining the surgical approach from primary to revision THA does not significantly increase dislocation or re-revision risk. Level of Evidence: IV.