Modern robotics platform associated with reduced 90-day complications in hospital setting

Early complications in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) associated with modern robotics platforms integrated with digital balancing technology have not been investigated.

The objective was to compare 90-day complication rates between a manual technique and a modern robotic-assisted ligament balancing TKA platform.

895 primary TKA procedures from a single surgeon were retrospectively reviewed (614 manual TKA, 281 using a modern robotics platform with an integrated digitally controlled ligament balancing device). Post-operative complications within the 90-day episode of care were recorded by the Michigan Arthroplasty Registry Collaborative Quality Initiative. Differences in complication rates between techniques were further divided into inpatient hospital, outpatient hospital, and ambulatory surgery center (ASC) cohorts.

In the pooled hospital cohort and inpatient hospital cohort, 'Return to OR' was significantly lower for the robotic assisted group (1.3% vs 5.2% and 0% vs 4.9%, respectively, p< 0.0370). Specifically, the need for manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) was reduced for the robotics group (0.0% vs 2.5%, p= 0.0352). No differences in overall complication rate or cause of complication was found between manual and robotics cases for the hospital outpatient and ASC cohorts (p⩾ 0.68).

Within the hospital setting, robotic assisted ligament balancing technology was associated with reduced 90-day postoperative complications for 'Return to OR' and MUA.