Minimal invasive surgery for hip replacement: a new technique using the NILNAV hip system.

Abstract

Minimal invasive surgical techniques are used for cruciate ligament reconstructions, unicondylar knee replacements and, more recently, for fixation of fractures. This is a report of the first instrumented technique for hip replacement using a 5-cm incision without the need for a navigation system or X-rays. It uses the C.F.P stem (LINK) but is universal. It includes jigs for the osteotomy of the neck, a right-angled reamer and spacers (lollipops) to orientate the acetabular cup to the femoral stem. A case series of 14 patients using this new hip replacement technique (called NILNAV Hip System) is reported. The procedure was successfully performed on all seven patients, with reduced postoperative pain and stiffness, and increased quality of life and functional status. All patients were discharged on postoperative Days 1 and 2 with minimal pain and blood loss. This new minimal access total hip replacement technique was successfully performed on seven patients. There are several advantages of using this system compared with the more traditional techniques. Such a technique should help reduce morbidity and mortality rates for those patients undergoing a total hip replacement.