Repeatability and reproducibility of a telemanipulated fracture reduction system

We evaluate the inter- and intraobserver variability of a telemanipulated femur fracture reduction system using a joystick device. Five examiners performed virtual reduction of 3D femur fracture models on two separate occasions. We assessed the inter- and intraobserver variability for the final alignment and reduction. The average difference between testing rounds was only 0.3 mm for overall displacement and 0.5° for overall rotation. There was an average time reduction between rounds of 11.7 s. The mean differences in overall displacement between examiners ranged between 0.2 and 0.9 mm; between 0.2° and 3.2° for overall rotation; and between 9 and 82 s for time to reduction. The time required to complete the reduction did not have a significant effect on the overall displacement or rotation of the final model. Telemanipulated fracture reduction is a reliable and reproducible technique, which does not require extensive training.