Learning Curves Associated With Robotic Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Robotics in Medicine
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Robotic total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) adoption is increasing.
• The learning curve (LC) for rTHA is not well-defined.
• Understanding LCs is vital for training and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the learning curve in robotic total hip arthroplasty.
• Evaluate operative time, leg length discrepancy (LLD), and acetabular component inclination (ACI) in rTHA.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across major databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science).
• Followed PRISMA guidelines for study selection.
• Included studies evaluating rTHA learning curves based on operative efficiency, radiographic accuracy, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• 12 studies were included in the review.
• Operative time improved by a median of 13 cases (range: 7-35).
• Inconsistent findings for LLD and ACI suggest limited evidence of a learning curve for these parameters.

Conclusions:

• Proficiency in rTHA improves after initial cases.
• Standardized benchmarks and training models are needed for rTHA.
• Further research should define proficiency thresholds and compare robotic systems.