- See: Watson Jones Approach
- Discussion:
- Smith Petersen improved & revived the anterior iliofemoral approach;
- entire ilium and hip joint can be reached thru iliac part of incision;
- w/ this approach there is a need for extensive detachment of tendinous insertions & retraction of muscle, w/ potential damage to
femoral artery and nerve and traction on lateral femoral cutaneous nerve;
- among the indications for this approach are ganz osteotomy for DDH and posterior hip frx dislocations;
- Technique:
- begin incision at middle of iliac crest or, farther posteriorly if required;
- accentuate the gap between the tensor fascia lata and sartorius by external rotation of the thigh;
- lateral femoral cutaneous nerve:
- divide the overlying fascia w/ scissors takeing care to avoid damaging lateral femoral cutaneous nerve:
- this nerve passes over sartorius 2.5 cm distal to ASIS;
- it pierces deep fascia of thigh 7 cm below ASIS;
- identify the nerve and retract it medially with sartorius;
- references:
- Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Impairment After Direct Anterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty
- The Anatomical Course of Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve with Special Attention to Anterior Approach to Hip Joint
- identify ascending brach of LFCA, which lies 5 cm distal to hip joint;
- ref: Potential Risk to the Superior Gluteal Nerve During the Anterior Approach to the Hip Joint: An Anatomical Study.
- divide the superficial and deep fascia, and free the attachments of gluteus medius & tensor fasciae latae from iliac crest
- strip periosteum w/ attachments of medius & minimus muscles from lateral surface of the ilium;
- continue dissection through deep fascia of thigh & between tensor fascia lata laterally & sartorius & rectus femoris medially;
- this exposes medius & rectus femoris;
- rectus femoris is detached from its two origins:
- straight head from AISIS
- reflected head from the anterior lip of acetabulum
- at this point, capsule of hip joint is exposed
- Deep Exposure:
- Motor-Evoked Potential Analysis of Femoral Nerve Status During the Direct Anterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty
MINIMALLY INVASIVE TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY WITH THE SHORTENED SMITH-PETERSON ANTERIOR APPROACH
Anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty: beyond the minimally invasive technique.