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Comparison of Robotic-assisted and Conventional Acetabular Cup Placement in THA: A Matched-pair Controlled Study

  • Clinical Research
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Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Abstract

Background

Improper acetabular component orientation in THA has been associated with increased dislocation rates, component impingement, bearing surface wear, and a greater likelihood of revision. Therefore, any reasonable steps to improve acetabular component orientation should be considered and explored.

Questions/purposes

We therefore sought to compare THA with a robotic-assisted posterior approach with manual alignment techniques through a posterior approach, using a matched-pair controlled study design, to assess whether the use of the robot made it more likely for the acetabular cup to be positioned in the safe zones described by Lewinnek et al. and Callanan et al.

Methods

Between September 2008 and September 2012, 160 THAs were performed by the senior surgeon. Sixty-two patients (38.8%) underwent THA using a conventional posterior approach, 69 (43.1%) underwent robotic-assisted THA using the posterior approach, and 29 (18.1%) underwent radiographic-guided anterior-approach THAs. From September 2008 to June 2011, all patients were offered anterior or posterior approaches regardless of BMI and anatomy. Since introduction of the robot in June 2011, all THAs were performed using the robotic technique through the posterior approach, unless a patient specifically requested otherwise. The radiographic cup positioning of the robotic-assisted THAs was compared with a matched-pair control group of conventional THAs performed by the same surgeon through the same posterior approach. The safe zone (inclination, 30°–50°; anteversion, 5°–25°) described by Lewinnek et al. and the modified safe zone (inclination, 30°–45°; anteversion, 5°–25°) of Callanan et al. were used for cup placement assessment. Matching criteria were gender, age ± 5 years, and (BMI) ± 7 units. After exclusions, a total of 50 THAs were included in each group. Strong interobserver and intraobserver correlations were found for all radiographic measurements (r > 0.82; p < 0.001).

Results

One hundred percent (50/50) of the robotic-assisted THAs were within the safe zone described by Lewinnek et al. compared with 80% (40/50) of the conventional THAs (p = 0.001). Ninety-two percent (46/50) of robotic-assisted THAs were within the modified safe zone described by Callanan et al. compared with 62% (31/50) of conventional THAs p (p = 0.001). The odds ratios for an implanted cup out of the safe zones of Lewinnek et al. and Callanan et al. were zero and 0.142, respectively (95% CI, 0.044, 0.457).

Conclusions

Use of the robot allowed for improvement in placement of the cup in both safe zones, an important parameter that plays a significant role in long-term success of THA. However, whether the radiographic improvements we observed will translate into clinical benefits for patients—such as reductions in component impingement, acetabular wear, and prosthetic dislocations, or in terms of improved longevity—remains unproven.

Level of Evidence

Level III, therapeutic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Zachary Finley BA, Ryan Baise BS, Jennifer C. Stone MA, and Anthony P. Trenga BA for assistance with data collection and analysis and literature review.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. American Hip Institute, Chicago, IL, USA

    Benjamin G. Domb MD, Youssef F. El Bitar MD, Adam Y. Sadik BS, Christine E. Stake MA & Itamar B. Botser MD

  2. Hinsdale Orthopaedics, Hinsdale, IL, USA

    Benjamin G. Domb MD & Christine E. Stake MA

  3. Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Benjamin G. Domb MD

  4. American Hip Institute in Chicago, Hinsdale Orthopedics, 1010 Executive Court, Suite 250, Westmont, IL, 60559, USA

    Benjamin G. Domb MD

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  1. Benjamin G. Domb MD
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  2. Youssef F. El Bitar MD
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  5. Itamar B. Botser MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benjamin G. Domb MD.

Additional information

The institution of one or more of the authors (BGD) has received, during the study period, funding from Mako Corporation (Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA) in an amount less than USD 10,000. The institution of one author (BGD) has received, during the study period, funding from Arthrex Inc (Naples, FL, USA).

All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research neither advocates nor endorses the use of any treatment, drug, or device. Readers are encouraged to always seek additional information, including FDA-approval status, of any drug or device prior to clinical use.

Each author certifies that his or her institution approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study was obtained.

This work was performed at the American Hip Institute, Westmont, IL, USA.

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Domb, B.G., El Bitar, Y.F., Sadik, A.Y. et al. Comparison of Robotic-assisted and Conventional Acetabular Cup Placement in THA: A Matched-pair Controlled Study. Clin Orthop Relat Res 472, 329–336 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-013-3253-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-013-3253-7

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