Early results of a prospective study in patients who underwent a computer-guided femoral preparation in total hip arthroplasty (Robodoc): Indications, results, complications.

Aim: Indications, results, advantages and disadvantages of the computer-gui ded femoral preparation in total hip arthroplasty (Robodoc) in our patients are recorded and represented. Method: 41 patients who underwent a computer -guided femoral preparation in total hip arthroplasty (Robodoc) were examin ed after 1 year on average in a prospective study. The evaluation was made using the Harris Hip Score. The advantages and disadvantages of the Robodoc -assisted surgery are described. Results: More than 80% of the patients had a good or very good result (> 80 points of Harris Hip Score) 3 month after surgery; after 6 months in 20 of 21 patients a score of more than 85 pts. was calculated. The following complications were noticed: thrombotic emboli sm (2) with one lethal embolism included, fracture of the greater trochante r using the straight stem (3), aseptic drainage due to hematoma (2). 12 pat ients noticed a postoperative pain at the distal marking pin location (cond ylus femoris medialis) for an average of 3 months. Conclusion: Generally, R obodoc-assisted surgery may be performed in all uncemented total hip arthro plasties. The individual indication should be checked because of the increa sed effort of surgery, the advantages and disadvantages, and the non-proven better long-term results in comparison to the regular technique. It seems that the Robodoc system provides advantages in post-traumatic arthritis and deformities of the proximal femur (varus and valgus neck) on account of th e computer-aided preoperative planning and correct operative realization.