Femoral neck fracture is one of the most common complications of hip resurfacing and considered by some to be related to reduced
blood flow as a consequence of the surgical approach. We measured oxygen concentration during hip resurfacing through the
trochanteric flip approach (n = 15 patients) and compared this approach with previous data for the posterior and anterolateral
approaches. With the trochanteric flip the average femoral oxygenation decreased during the procedure to approximately 50%
of that at the start, however it recovered to starting level by the end of the procedure. Preservation of oxygenation with
the trochanteric flip was similar to that observed with the anterolateral approach, but with less variation during the procedure.
Both of these approaches were superior in terms of oxygenation preservation to the posterior approach which resulted in a
dramatic reduction in oxygenation.
One or more of the authors (DWM & HSG) have received institutional funding from the Furlong Research Foundation.
Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations
were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study
was obtained.