|
7/03/08 Dr. Lichtblau of Quebec The anterior vs. posterior debate isn't going to be resolved
by one study of electrode blood flow. Most surgeons would
agree that blood flow to the femoral head (most of which
comes backwards via the femoral neck) is theoretically
better preserved through an anterior approach. Much of this
info comes from the work of Ganz, who did a lot of cadaver
dissection to prove this. Having said that, there doesn't
seem to be any evidence whatsoever that one approach or the
other leads to a higher incidence of the femoral head dying
after resurfacing surgery (so called ''avascular
necrosis'').
McMinn and Treacy, who have together the
largest series of resurfacings in the world, both use the
posterior approach, and there have not been any problems
seen yet. I prefer the posterior approach because I am good
at it and I can perform the surgery quite fast through this
exposure. Bottom line is that your surgeon should probably
use the approach he/she is most comfortable with. Hope this
info is of help to you. Ethan Lichtblau, MD, FRCS(C)
Montreal, Quebec
|
