In a classic total hip replacement the length of incision is between 8 – 15 cm (3-6 inch), depending on the difficulty of the operation (e.g. revision surgery and obesity of the patient). In the resurfacing procedure the incision is longer (15 – 30 cm/6-12 inch) because of technical-anatomical reasons (saving the femoral head). The length of incision has no influence in the postoperative rehabilitation.
Minimal invasive surgery is not applicable to resurfacing today. Minimal invasive surgery in total hip corresponds with a lot of early complications (17%). The prosthesis placement is often “blind”. A reduction of the incision to “minimal incision” is done by everybody. The 2-incision minimal invasive technique is disregarded by most of the surgeons.