The Impact of Resident Teaching on Total Hip Arthroplasty

The author asked whether THA cases performed with major resident participation in a private practice setting were associated with greater use of health care resources, higher rates of technical errors, or a reduction in quality of outcome compared to THA cases performed without major resident involvement. Eighty-eight primary THA cases performed with major resident participation were compared to 61 cases without major resident participation. Resident cases took 20 minutes longer, required a second assistant more frequently (92% versus 23%) but did not have higher transfusion rates or result in a longer hospital stay. Resident cases did not have more complications or increased technical errors. Resident cases also did not have lower Harris hip scores or inferior Short Form SF-12 physical ratings at minimum 1-year followup.