A new seven-axis robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty system improves component positioning: a prospective,...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Robotics in Medicine
• Arthroplasty

Background:

• Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common procedure for hip joint diseases.
• Optimizing acetabular component placement is crucial for long-term THA success.
• Robotic-assisted surgery is emerging as a tool to enhance surgical precision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the radiologic and clinical outcomes of a novel seven-axis robotic-assisted THA (RAS) versus conventional THA (CON).
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the robotic system in THA.
• To assess the impact of robotic assistance on acetabular cup positioning, leg length discrepancy, and functional scores.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 104 patients undergoing THA.
• Patients were assigned to either the robotic-assisted THA group (RAS) or the conventional THA group (CON).
• Preoperative and postoperative Harris Hip Score (HHS), acetabular inclination, anteversion, femoral offset, and leg length discrepancy (LLD) were measured and compared.

Main Results:

• The RAS group demonstrated a significantly higher proportion of acetabular cups placed within the desired safety zone.
• Significant differences were observed in the mean absolute difference of acetabular inclination and anteversion between the groups.
• No significant differences were found in postoperative HHS, changes in HHS, femoral offset, or leg length between the RAS and CON groups.
• No robot-associated complications were reported during follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The seven-axis robotic-assisted THA system is safe and effective for hip arthroplasty.
• Robotic assistance leads to superior acetabular cup positioning compared to conventional THA.
• Clinical outcomes, including HHS and LLD, showed similar improvements in both robotic-assisted and conventional THA groups.