Review of Trochanteric approach in 285 Total Hip Arthroplasties

This paper is a consecutive series of total hip arthroplasties were performed over 6 years period by the same group surgeons utilizing the Charnley method as well as the lateral approach with trochanteric osteo. tomy. Trochanteric reattachment was accomplished in 285 hips and method of reattachment were basically standard Charnley technique which we used in most of our series. In addition, some modification of original Charnley technique which we used in early this trial were also included for this study. As far as trochanteric complications are concerned, there are 18 cases of hips where there was wire breakage, proximal drift of greater trochanter and 6 established cases of nonunion also reported. By the use of wire mash, we have performed a revisional surgery which has re-inforced of the greater trochanter. This was the case when the greater trocyhanter was very osteoporotic. Finally, biomechanical considerations of the re-attachment of the greater trochanter and new Charnley staple clamp method were introduced with review of our cases and analysed for technical failures.