Computer-assisted femoral head resurfacing

Abstract

Femoral head resurfacing is re-emerging as a surgical option for younger patients who are not yet candidates for total hip replacement. However, this procedure is more difficult than total hip replacement, and the mechanical jigs typically used to align the implant produce significant variability in implant placement and take a significant amount of time to position properly. We propose that a computer-assisted surgical (CAS) technique could reduce implant variability with little or no increase in operative time. We describe a new CAS technique for this procedure and demonstrate in a cadaver study of five paired femurs that the CAS technique in the hands of a novice surgeon markedly reduced the varus/valgus variability of the implant relative to the pre-operative plan (2° standard deviation for CAS versus 5° for a mechanical jig operated by an expert surgeon). We also show that the mechanical jig resulted in significantly retroverted implant placement. There was no significant difference in operative time between the two techniques.

• Femoral head resurfacing
• hip arthroplasty
• computer-assisted surgery
• repeatability
• accuracy