Reduced postoperative morbidity in computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty: A retrospective comparison of 225,123 cases

Advanced Concepts in Outpatient Joint Arthroplasty

As the adoption and utilization of outpatient total joint arthroplasty (TJA) continue to grow, key developments have enabled surgeons to safely and effectively perform these surgeries while increasing patient satisfaction and operating room efficiency. Here, the authors will discuss the evidence-based principles that have guided this paradigm shift in joint arthroplasty surgery, as well as practical methods for selecting appropriate candidates and optimizing perioperative care. There will be five core efficiency principles reviewed that can be used to improve organizational management, streamline workflow, and overcome barriers in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC). Finally, future directions in outpatient surgery at the ASC, including the merits of implementing robot assistance and computer navigation, as well as expanding indications for revision surgeries, will be debated.

Troubleshooting Robotics During Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

The introduction of new surgical technology highlights appreciable concerns; robotic arthroplasty is no exception. Acquiring comprehensive understanding of the robotic technology to avoid complications during surgery and devising troubleshooting strategies to overcome potential difficulties is of paramount importance. Troubleshooting algorithms depend on the stage of the procedure and problem encountered, such as loosening of the pins or array, registration or verification problems, or malfunctioning of the device, which is rare. This article aims to outline reproducible workflows and solutions for troubleshooting during robotic-arm assisted total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty.

Does Computer Navigation or Robotic Assistance Affect the Risk of Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty? A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Analysis

BACKGROUND

The use of technology during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been associated with more accurate component position and less blood loss. Yet to date, the risk of developing prosthetic joint infection (PJI) associated with computer navigation (CN) or robotic assistance (RA) has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study used propensity score-matching (PSM) in a large cohort of primary TKA patients to compare the rate of PJI following conventional TKA (TKA) versus CN-TKA and RA-TKA.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 13,015 knees in 11,727 patients who underwent primary TKA at a single institution from 2018 to 2021. The cohort was stratified into TKA, CN-TKA, and RA-TKA groups. 1:1 PSM was applied to 11,834 patients. Propensity score-matching was performed using logistic regression accounting for age, sex, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, CCI components, and smoking status. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate differences in surgical time and PJI rate.

RESULTS

Significantly longer median operating times were noted in the RA-TKA group (14 minutes) compared to TKA (P < .001). The PJI rates among matched cohorts were similar among RA-TKA (0.3%), CN-TKA (0.3%), and conventional TKA (0.5%). Multivariable logistic regressions demonstrated that the use of robotic assistance (odds ratio (OR) = 0.5, P = .423) or computer navigation (OR = 0.61, P = .128) was not associated with increased risk of PJI when compared to conventional TKA.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of computer navigation and robotic assistance during primary TKA are associated with longer surgical times, but no difference in PJI frequency within 90 days of surgery.

A comparison of utilization and short-term complications of technology-assisted versus conventional total knee arthroplasty

Background

While technology-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TA-TKA) improves implant positioning, whether it confers improved clinical outcomes remains inconclusive. We sought to examine national TA-TKA utilization trends and to compare outcomes between TA-TKA and unassisted TKA (U-TKA).

Methods

Patients who underwent primary, elective TKA from 2010 to 2018 were identified using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Demographic, perioperative, and 30-day outcomes were collected. Patients were stratified on the basis of whether they underwent TA-TKA, which included computer navigation and robotics, or U-TKA. The proportion of patients undergoing TKA using TA-TKA was calculated. One-to-one propensity-score matching paired patients undergoing TA-TKA or U-TKA. Independent samples t-tests and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to compare continuous variables, and chi-squared tests were used to compare categorical variables.

Results

Of the 402,284 TKA patients, 10,429 (2.6%) cases were performed using TA-TKA. Comparing the unmatched TA-TKA and U-TKA groups, race (p < 0.001), smoking status (p = 0.050), baseline functional status (p < 0.001), and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001) significantly differed. Propensity-score matching yielded 8633 TA-TKA and U-TKA pairs. The TA-TKA cohort had shorter hospital length of stay (LOS) (2.7 ± 2.5 versus 2.8 ± 1.9 days, p = 0.017) but similar operative times (92.4 ± 33.4 versus 92.6 ± 39.8 min, p = 0.670). Compared with the U-TKA group, the TA-TKA group had lower major complication (7.6% versus 9.4%, p < 0.001) and transfusion (3.9% versus 5.1%, p < 0.001) rates and higher rates of discharge to home (73.9% versus 70.4%, p < 0.001). Reoperation and readmission rates did not significantly differ between groups.

Conclusions

TA-TKA utilization remains low among orthopedic surgeons. Compared with U-TKA, TA-TKA yielded improved perioperative and 30-day outcomes. Nonetheless, surgeons must consider the benefits and drawbacks of TA-TKA when determining the proper surgical technique and technology for each patient.

Level III evidence

Retrospective cohort study.

Computer-Navigated and Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty: Increasing in Popularity Without Increasing Complications

BACKGROUND

Data on the clinical impact of computer navigation (CN) and robotic assistance (RA) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are mixed. This study aims to describe modern utilization trends in CN-TKA, RA-TKA, and traditionally-instrumented (TD) TKA and to assess for differences in postoperative complications and opioid consumption by procedure type.

METHODS

A national database was queried to identify primary, elective TKA patients from 2015 to 2020. Trends in procedural utilization rates were assessed. Differences in 90-day postoperative complications and inpatient opioid consumption were assessed. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to account for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Of the 847,496 patients included, 49,317 (5.82%) and 24,460 (2.89%) underwent CN-TKA and RA-TKA, respectively. CN-TKA utilization increased from 5.64% (2015) to 6.41% (2020) and RA-TKA utilization increased from 0.84% (2015) to 5.89% (2020). After adjusting for confounders, CN-TKA was associated with lower periprosthetic joint infection (P = .001), pulmonary embolism (P < .001), and acute respiratory failure (P = .015) risk compared to traditional (TD) TKA. RA-TKA was associated with lower deep vein thrombosis (P < .001), myocardial infarction (P = .013), and pulmonary embolism (P = .001) risk than TD-TKA. Lower postoperative day 1 opioid usage was seen with CN-TKA and RA-TKA than TD-TKA (P < .001). Lower postoperative day 0 opioid consumption was also seen in RA-TKA (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

From 2015 to 2020, there was a relative 13.7% and 601.2% increase in CN-TKAs and RA-TKAs, respectively. This trend was associated with reductions in hospitalization duration, postoperative complications, and opioid consumption. These data support the safety of RA-TKA and CN-TKA compared to TD-TKA. Further investigation into the specific indications for these technology-assisted TKAs is warranted.

Analysis of New Orthopaedic Technologies in Large Database Research

Improvements in orthopaedic surgery go hand in hand with technological advances. The present article outlines the historical and current uses of large databases and registries for the evaluation of new orthopaedic technologies, providing insights for future utilization, with robotic-assisted surgery as the example technology.

Avoiding Femoral Canal Instrumentation in Computer-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty With Contemporary Blood Management Had Minimal Differences in Blood Loss and Transfusion Rates Compared to Conventional Techniques

BACKGROUND

Computer-assisted surgery that does not utilize femoral canal instrumentation is theorized to have less blood loss. However, there is a paucity of data on this, particularly in the era of tranexamic acid use. We sought to analyze the association of computer navigation with total calculated blood loss and transfusion rate in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS

We identified 14,890 patients who underwent unilateral primary TKA at a single institution from 2016 to 2020. Computer-assisted surgery in the form of an accelerometer or robotics was utilized in 4,165 TKAs (28%). Drains were utilized in 4,860 TKAs (32%). We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine if computer navigation reduced the rate of blood transfusion and linear regression analysis to determine the impact of computer navigation on blood loss.

RESULTS

In total, 542 patients (3.6%) underwent a transfusion. The average change in hemoglobin (Hgb) was 2.1 g/dL (standard deviation [SD] 0.91) and average total calculated blood loss was 310 mL (SD = 154). In a multivariate regression model, computer navigation was not protective of transfusion (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, P = .73). Preoperative Hgb <10 (OR 10.5, P < .0001) and drain use (OR 2.25, P < .0001) were the most significant risk factors for transfusion. In a linear regression model, computer navigation reduced blood loss by 19 mL (SD 2.94, P < .0001) per case.

CONCLUSION

In this large retrospective cohort analysis of contemporary TKA patients, computer-assisted surgery that eliminates intramedullary femoral canal instrumentation during primary TKA was not associated with reduced transfusion rates and had minimal differences in overall blood loss.

The Impact of Computer-Assisted Navigation on Charges and Readmission in Patients Undergoing Posterior Cervical Fusion Surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of 2016 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD).

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to evaluate cost and outcomes associated with navigation use on posterior cervical fusion (PCF) surgery patients.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Computer-assisted navigation systems demonstrate comparable outcomes with hardware placement and procedural speed compared with traditional techniques. Innovations in technology continue to improve surgeons' performance in complicated procedures, causing need to analyze the impact on patient care.

METHODS

The 2016 NRD was queried for patients with PCF surgery ICD-10 codes. Cost and readmission rates were compared with and without navigation. Nonelective cases and patients below 18 years of age were excluded. Univariate analysis on demographics, surgical data, and total charges was performed. Lastly, multivariate analysis was performed to assess navigation's impact on cost and postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 11,834 patients were identified, with 137 (1.2%) patients undergoing surgery with navigation and 11,697 (98.8%) patients without. Average total charge was $131,939.47 and $141,270.1 for the non-navigation and navigation cohorts, respectively ( P =0.349). Thirty-day and 90-day readmission rates were not significantly lower in patients who received navigation versus those that did not ( P =0.087). This remained insignificant after adjusting for several variables, age above 65, sex, medicare status, mental health history, and comorbidities. The model adjusting for demographic and comorbidities maintained insignificant results of navigation being associated with decreased 30-day and 90-day readmissions ( P =0.079).

CONCLUSIONS

Navigation use in PCF surgery was not associated with increased cost, and patients operated on with navigation did not significantly have increased routine discharge or decreased 90-day readmission. As a result, future studies must continue to evaluate the cost-benefit of navigation use for cervical fusion surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.