Comparative study of intra- and post-operative inclination and anteversion angles of acetabular cup in robot-assisted total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

To compare the difference in the inclination and anteversion angles of the acetabular cup measured by intraoperative robot-assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA) and postoperative X-ray films and CT imaging. The clinical data of 54 patients (54 hips) who underwent robot-assisted THA between May 2020 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 26 males (26 hips) and 28 females (28 hips), with an average age of 58.4 years (range, 39-71 years). The body mass index was 19.2-29.3 kg/m 2, with an average of 25.2 kg/m 2. All the patients had their first THA, including 31 cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, 12 cases of hip arthritis, 8 cases of femoral neck fracture, and 3 cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip. The anteversion and inclination angles of the acetabular cup were obtained through the surgical data in the robot host system. All patients underwent X-ray and CT scan examination within 2-7 days after operation to obtain the postoperative anteversion and inclination angles of the acetabular cup. According to the concept of "Lewinnek safe zone", the proportion of acetabular in the safe zone intra- and post-operation were compared. The operation time was 57.8-89.2 minutes, with an average of 68.3 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 125.0-450.0 mL, with an average of 204.8 mL. No adverse events such as dislocation of hip joint and infection occurred during hospitalization. The anteversion angle of acetabular cup was (40.8±0.6)° during operation and (41.2±2.8)° after operation, with no significant difference ( t=1.026, P=0.307). The anteversion angle of acetabular cup measured during operation was (17.6±1.4)°, which was significantly smaller than that measured after operation (23.4±3.8)°( t=10.520, P=0.000). According to "Lewinnek safe zone", 54 hips (100%) were in the safety zone during operation, and 16 hips were out of the safety zone, 38 hips were in the safty zone after operation, the ratio of the hips in the safty zone was 70.4%, showing a significant difference ( χ 2=18.783, P=0.000). Robot-assisted THA can obtain accurate placement of the acetabular cup, but there is a large deviation between the anteversion angle of the acetabular cup in the lateral position during operation and the supine position after operation. Further study is needed to define the intraoperative placement position of the acetabular cup.