An update on surgical approaches in hip arthoplasty: lateral versus posterior approach.

In this update we searched the literature about the outcome of the lateral versus posterior approach in hip arthoplasty for osteoarthritis (OA) and femoral neck fracture (FNF) patients. The available evidence shows that the use of posterior approach in OA patients is associated with lower mortality and better functional outcome while the use of lateral approach in FNF patients gives lower dislocation rate. We recommend therefore the use of posterior approach in OA patients and lateral approach in FNF patients.