Navigated implantation of total knee prostheses - A comparison with conventional techniques

Objective:A navigation system should improve the quality of a total knee pr osthesis implantation in comparison to the classical, surgeon-controlled op erative technique. Methods: The authors have implanted 40 knee total prosth eses with an optical infrared navigation system (Orthopilot (R) AESCULAP, T uttlingen - group A). The quality of implantation was studied on postoperat ive long leg AP and lateral X-rays, and compared to a control group of 40 c omputer-paired total knee prostheses o the same model (Search (R) Prosthesi s, AESCULAP, Tuttlingen) implanted with a classical, surgeon-controlled tec hnique (group B). Results: An optimal mechanical femorotibial angle (3 degr ees valgus to 3 degrees varus) was obtained by 33 cases in group A and 31 c ases in group B (p > 0.05). Better results were seen for the coronal and sa gittal orientation of both tibial and femoral components in group A, Global ly, 26 cases of the group A and 12 cases of the group B were implanted in a n optimal manner for all studied criteria (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The used navigation system allows a significant improvement of the quality of impla ntation of a knee total prosthesis in comparison to a classical, surgeon-co ntrolled instrumentation. Long-term outcome could be consequently improved.