Avoidance of intramedullary violation in computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty lowers the incidence of periprosthetic joint infection compared with conventional total knee arthroplasty: A propensity score matching analysis of 5342 cases

Lower Perioperative Complication Rates and Shorter Lengths of Hospital Stay Associated With Technology-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Versus Conventional Instrumentation in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The use of technology allows increased precision in component positioning in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The objectives of this study were to compare (1) perioperative complications and (2) resource utilization between robotic-assisted (RA) and computer-navigated (CN) versus conventional (CI) TKA.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed using a national database to identify patients undergoing unilateral, primary elective TKA from January 2016 to December 2019. A total of 2,174,685 patients were identified and included RA (69,445), CN (112,225), or CI (1,993,015) TKA. Demographics, complications, lengths of stay, dispositions, and costs were compared between the cohorts. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The RA TKA cohort had lower rates of intraoperative fracture (0.05 versus 0.08%, P < .05), respiratory complications (0.6 versus 1.1%, P < .05), renal failure (1.3 versus 1.7%, P < .05), delirium (0.1 versus 0.2%, P < .05), gastrointestinal complications (0.04 versus 0.09%, P < .05), postoperative anemia (8.9 versus 13.9%, P < .05), blood transfusion (0.4 versus 0.9%, P < .05), pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis (0.1 versus 0.2%, P < .05), and mortality (0.01 versus 0.02%, P < .05) compared to conventional TKA, though the cohort did have higher rates of myocardial infarction (0.09 versus 0.07%, P < .05). The CN cohort had lower rates of myocardial infarction (0.02 versus 0.07%, P < .05), respiratory complications (0.8 versus 1.1%, P < .05), renal failure (1.5 versus 1.7%, P < .05), blood transfusion (0.8 versus 0.9%, P < .05), pulmonary embolism (0.08 versus 0.2%, P < .05), and deep vein thrombosis (0.2 versus 0.2%, P < .05) over CI TKA. Total cost was increased in RA (16,190 versus $15,133, P < .05) and CN (17,448 versus $15,133, P < .05). However, the length of hospital stay was decreased in both RA (1.8 versus 2.2 days, P < .05) and CN (2.1 versus 2.2 days, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Technology-assisted TKA was associated with lower perioperative complication rates and faster recovery.

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.

The Differential Systemic Biological Effects between Computer Navigation and Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) Surgeries: A Prospective Study

Distal femur reaming-free total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was reported to possess lower risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or venous thromboembolism (VTE) than conventional TKA in a retrospective population-based study. We tried to offer prospective biological evidence by comparing the levels of AMI and VTE serum surrogate markers among the patients undertaking navigation and conventional TKAs to support these observations. Thirty-four participants undertaking navigation TKA and 34 patients receiving conventional TKA were recruited between February 2013 and December 2015. Blood samples were drawn from all participants before TKA, and 24 and 72 h after TKA, to assess the concentration of soluble P-selectin, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) between the participants undergoing navigation and conventional TKAs. We showed that significantly lower serum levels of soluble P-selectin 24 h after, as well as CRP 24 and 72 h after TKA could be observed in the navigation cohort. The more prominent surge of serum soluble P-selectin and CRP were perceived 24 and 72 h after TKA among the participants undergoing conventional TKA. Based upon our prospective biological evidence, the merits of navigation TKA are strengthened by lower levels of AMI and VTE serum surrogate markers.