Three-dimensional computerized selection of hip prostheses in patients with congenital dislocated hips

This study assessed the effectiveness of the combined use of computed tomog raphy (CT) and computer-aided design (CAD) in the preoperative evaluation a nd implant selection in 20 patients (20 hips) with congenital dislocation o f the hip who were scheduled to undergo total hip arthroplasty. Computerize d selection of the femoral implant with optimum fit and fill was made after a three-dimensional reconstruction of the femoral canal using CT data and CAD. Implantation of all sizes of 5 noncemented and 2 cemented femoral impl ants was simulated using CATIA software (IBM, Kingstone, NY). When patients underwent surgery, 18 of 20 preselected prostheses agreed by type and size with the prostheses implanted. The remaining 2 preselected implants agreed by type only. In patients with dislocated and dysplastic hips, combined us e of CT and CAD allows effective preoperative planning by providing the sur geon with vital information about the proximal femoral canal geometry and t he possible femoral implant with optimum fit and fill to be used.