In a live Internet webcast on October 9, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Joel M. Matta, M.D., will perform a tissue sparing surgical procedure called the Anterior Approach to total hip replacement with a specially designed surgical table and the Corail® Hip implant from DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. at the Hip & Pelvic Institute at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a company that has taken a leading role in training surgeons in this procedure, is making the broadcast available for free via ORLive.com

"Using the Anterior Approach allows surgeons to work between the muscles, without detaching them from the hip or thighbones," said Dr. Matta. "When these important muscles are left relatively undisturbed, patients can expect to be on their feet much faster, making quicker steps toward recovery."

Learn more about the webcast on OR-Live.com

Traditional Hip Replacement Vs. the Anterior Approach ?

Traditional hip replacement surgery typically results in a 6-8 inch incision and a hospital stay of 4-5 days. The Anterior Approach allows for a smaller incision and less tissue disruption, which can shorten the recovery process. Additionally, patients may bend their hip and bear full weight sooner after this surgery than other types of hip replacement surgery.

How Does the Anterior Approach Work?

The surgeon uses an advanced surgical table specifically designed for this procedure:

• This surgical table allows them to position the patient so that the hip joint may be easily accessed from the front as opposed to the side or back.
• The Anterior Approach allows the surgeon to work between the muscles without detaching them from the hip or thighbones with many advantages.
• These important muscles are left relatively undisturbed, potentially reducing the recovery time.
• Keeping these muscles intact also helps prevent dislocations;
• Patients may be able to freely bend their hip and bear full weight immediately following surgery
• The Corail® Total Hip System, from DePuy, is a clinically proven hip implant uniquely shaped and optimal for the anterior approach due to its streamlined design.

About Hip Replacement?

The demand for hip replacement is growing rapidly. It is estimated that the number of primary total hip replacements will increase by 174 percent -- to 572,000 -- in 2030. This is due in part to the growing number of Baby Boomers with osteoarthritis and the rise in obesity among the population.

The broadcast will be moderated by J. Bohannon Mason, MD. Dr. Mason is a member of OrthoCarolina, one of the largest and most comprehensive orthopaedic practices in the U.S. Following his residency at Duke University, he was awarded the Otto E. AuFranc Fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Mason is a leader in total hip replacement, and he has recently completed an initial series of cases using the Anterior Approach. He brings his experiences with other approaches and his early experiences with the Anterior Approach to his role as moderator.