Pros, cons, and future possibilities for use of computer navigation in hip arthroscopy

The recent integration of computer-assisted surgery as a resource for preoperative planning and intraoperative assistance in hip arthroscopy has paved the way for more precise surgical planning and the potential for improved operative results. The aims of computer-assisted surgery are to better define the pathoanatomy underlying patient symptomatology in an effort to refine surgical techniques, decrease human error, and ultimately improve clinical outcomes. Multiple studies have been published describing various technologies. The majority of these systems create 3D dynamized computer models from 2D CT scans to allow for precise preoperative planning, and some offer real-time intraoperative capabilities. Although these technologies have shown potential for increasing surgical precision in treating femoroacetabular impingement, they are not without limitations, including an inability to factor in soft-tissue structures and an incompatibility with dysplastic and arthritic hips. Future studies must be conducted to determine whether these systems result in improved clinical outcomes.