Does Augmented Reality-based Portable Navigation Improve the Accuracy of Cup Placement in THA Compared With...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Technology
• Surgical Navigation

Background:

• Portable navigation systems enhance acetabular cup placement in total hip arthroplasty (THA).
• Limited prospective data exists comparing augmented reality (AR) versus accelerometer-based portable navigation systems in THA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the acetabular cup placement accuracy between AR and accelerometer-based portable navigation systems in THA.
• To assess differences in surgical complication rates between the two navigation systems.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized controlled trial involving 126 patients undergoing unilateral THA.
• Patients were randomized into either an AR navigation group or an accelerometer navigation group.
• Primary outcome: difference between planned and postoperative cup angles; Secondary outcome: surgical complications.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in radiographic inclination angle accuracy between AR and accelerometer groups (p=0.22).
• AR group showed significantly smaller differences in radiographic anteversion angle compared to the accelerometer group (p<0.001).
• Both groups experienced a low frequency of surgical complications.

Conclusions:

• AR navigation offers slight improvements in acetabular cup anteversion accuracy in THA compared to accelerometer systems.
• The clinical significance of these minor radiographic differences is currently unknown.
• Widespread adoption is not recommended due to costs and unquantified risks of novel devices.