Preoperative planning software as a digital health tool in orthopedics: Surgeon-reported benefits in shoulder...

Preoperative planning software has gained traction in shoulder arthroplasty, enabling surgeons to better visualize patient's anatomy and optimize implant positioning. Widespread adoption of such tools depends not only on their efficacy but also on surgeon satisfaction and perceived utility in day-to-day practice. However, data on surgeons' satisfaction and perceived utility of such software remain limited. This survey aimed to evaluate surgeons' overall satisfaction, perception and the willingness to recommend the software as a training tool for fellows.

A retrospective observational survey was conducted to evaluate overall satisfaction and usage patterns among orthopedic surgeons using pre-operative 3D planning software (Blueprint®). All surgeons were contacted via email with a web-based questionnaire. Reponses were analyzed with descriptive statistics to assess overall surgeon satisfaction, level of agreement with predefined statements, likelihood of future use and willingness to recommend the software to others.

The web-based questionnaire was distributed to 1100 orthopedic surgeons between September 30, 2024, and November 11, 2024. 312 responses were received, of which 273 were evaluable responses. Most respondents were low-volume or medium-volume surgeons, and high-volume surgeons were underrepresented (<7.7%). 270 responses were collected from surgeons evaluating their overall satisfaction, with 97% of the feedback being positive. 96% of surgeons said the planning software boosted their confidence in their preoperative plan and 33% during surgery, and 86% reported lower stress compared to performing the procedure without it.

This survey suggests that pre-operative 3D planning software (Blueprint®) is a well-received digital solution in shoulder arthroplasty, with perceived benefits regarding surgical planning, surgeon's stress level, confidence and training.