Abstract
Pre-operative knowledge
Knowledge-based total hip arthroplasty is becoming increasingly recognised for improved safety, efficiency, and accuracy. Pre-operative knowledge of native and planned femoral anteversion, the exact size of implants, neck length and offset, and head lengths can serve to safely accelerate surgery and reduce the need for intra-operative imaging. Pre-operative knowledge of the effect on change in leg length and offset effected by specific implant combinations can serve to minimise undesired changes. The use of a smart mechanical navigation tool superimposed on this knowledge, can serve to easily and swiftly achieve optimal component position.
Cost savings
Economic data from Q1 2013 to Q2 2016 demonstrate that CMS-insured patients treated by knowledge-based surgery using the HipXpert mechanical navigation system combined with the superior hip approach have the lowest cost of all patients treated in Massachusetts by an average of more than $7,000 over 90 days for Medicare Part A expenditure (HipXpert System, Surgical Planning Associates, Boston, MA). The data show that these combined techniques outpace all other technology/technique combinations including robotics.
Accuracy
The system has been proven to be robust, with repeated studies showing accurate cup placement in 100% of cases including an independent study. This compares to a recent study of robotic methods that showed only 88% accuracy in inclination and 84% for anteversion.
Summary
Knowledge-based surgery with smart mechanical navigation has shown the potential to accelerate surgery, improve safety, lower cost and facilitate recovery.
