Comparing Conventional and Navigation-assisted Techniques for Lateral Opening-wedge Femoral Varus Osteotomy

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess short-term clinical and radiographic results of opening-wedge distal femoral varus osteotomy performed using either the conventional technique or a navigation (NAV)-assisted technique. Materials and Methods: This study included 25 patients; 12 patients underwent femoral osteotomy with NAV, and 13 patients underwent the conventional procedure. Results: In the NAV osteotomy group, the mean duration of surgery was 73.69 minutes (SD, 12.53 min), and the mean tourniquet time was 59 minutes. Mean preoperative mechanical alignments were 13.84 degrees in the conventional osteotomy group and 14.4 degrees in the NAV osteotomy group (P=0.7432; 95% confidence interval=12.8-15.4 degrees), and the final postoperative mechanical alignment varied between −2 and 3 degrees in both groups, with no significant difference between the results obtained using the 2 techniques (P=0.1316; 95% confidence interval=0.08-1.24 degrees). However, the correlation between initial alignment and postoperative result was strong (P=−0.68) in the NAV osteotomy group and weak (P=−0.07) in the conventional osteotomy group. Conclusions: Duration of surgery and tourniquet time were longer in the NAV osteotomy group. The use of NAV for femoral varus osteotomy did not result in any significant difference in final alignment.