Short-term outcomes of an imageless robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty compared with a conventional method: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

IntroductionThe purpose of robot-assisted TKA is to improve implant positioning and soft tissue management, and thus improve the clinical results and implant survivorship. This study compared short-term outcomes of an imageless robot-assisted TKA versus conventional TKA. Imageless robot-assisted TKA would demonstrate improved short-term outcomes, in comparison with conventional TKA. MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we compared demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative data of 150 imageless robot-assisted TKA patients and 150 conventional TKA patients. ResultsImageless robot-assisted TKA patients had reduced pain scores on day one following the surgery and had shorter postoperative length of stay (LOS). In contrast, there was no difference between the groups in the frequency of post-surgical infection or revision TKA. In addition, no difference was found in the duration of surgery. ConclusionIt seems that the imageless robot-assisted TKA leads to similar short-term outcomes, compared with conventional TKA, with a few advantages over the latter, such as reduced pain scores on day one following the surgery and shorter LOS, without prolonging the surgery duration. Further investigation is needed to explore whether these findings have long-term clinical significance. Level of evidenceIII, retrospective cohort study.