Robot-assisted total hip arthroplasty: Clinical outcomes and complication rate

The purpose of this study was to report minimum 2-year outcomes and complications for robotic-arm-assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed between June 2011 and April 2014. Inclusion criteria were primary robotic-arm-assisted THAs treating idiopathic osteoarthritis with ≥ 2-year follow-up. Demographics, operating time, complications, 2-year outcome scores and satisfaction, and subsequent surgeries were recorded.

There were 181 cases eligible for inclusion, of which 162 (89.5%) had minimum 2-year follow-up. At the latest follow-up, the mean visual analogue scale was 0.7, satisfaction was 9.3, Harris hip score was 91.1 and forgotten joint score was 83.1. Six (3.7%) intraoperative complications and six (3.7%) postoperative complications were reported. No leg length discrepancies (LLDs) or dislocations were reported.

Robotic-arm-assisted THA demonstrates favourable short-term outcomes and does not result in a higher complication rate compared to non-robotic THA as reported by the literature.