Objective To explore the effect of electronic protractor and personalized measuring plate in total hip arthroplasty through direct anterior approach.

Methods From January 2017 to December 2019, 180 cases(193 hips) with primary total hip arthroplasty which through direct anterior approach in Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University were retrospectively analyzed. 136 hips were treated with electronic protractor and personalized measuring plate (template group) and 57 cases with routine operation (conventional group), there was no significant difference in age, sex and weight between the two groups. Operation time, inclination angle, anteversion, limb length discrepancy, HHS score and complications were recorded after operation.

Results There was no statistical difference in the operation time between the two groups (t=0.34, P > 0.05), the postoperative function of the last follow-up template group was better than the conventional group (t=6.16, P < 0.05), and the complication rate was less than the conventional group (χ²＝4.64, P < 0.05). There were statistical differences in abduction angle, anteversion angle of acetabular prosthesis, hip flexion, posterior extension, external rotation, internal rotation, adduction, and abduction in the template and conventional groups, and the template group was better than the conventional group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in limb length between the two groups. No prosthesis infection or loosening occurred during the follow-up period.

Conclusions The DAA approach combined with an electronic protractor and a personalized measuring plate improves the precision of the THA acetabular component placement, the postoperative hip function, and reduces the occurrence of complications.