[Computer-assisted surgery for hip endoprosthesis]

The use of computer-controlled robots for implanting cement-free prostheses requires exact preoperative planning on a three-dimensional graphics computer (ORTHODOC). For the first time ever, it has been possible to implement the three-dimensional plan using a computer-controlled robot working on patients. We assume that the considerably improved bone contact provided by the high-precision reaming process--an thus high primary stability--will lead to better incorporation in the bone. In experiments on dogs, in which cement-free hips had been implanted using computer-assisted robots, the animals showed much earlier and more uniform weight-bearing on the affected extremity than animals in a control group that had received conventional implants. In histological therms, the precise fit obtained by the ROBOCOC was accompanied by primary angiogenic healing patterns that all demonstrated labels during the first four weeks. The manually reamed comparators showed more pronounced fissure and defect healing, the healing patterns was irregular, and turnover activity was demonstrate.