Ten-year outcomes of cementless anatomical femoral implants after 3D computed tomography planning. Follow-up note

Midterm results of titanium conical Wagner stem with challenging femoral anatomy: Survivorship and unique bone remodeling

BACKGROUND

Complex anatomy of the proximal femur makes total hip arthroplasty (THA) more challenging. Short, straight, fluted and conical titanium stem like the Wagner Cone can be helpful to address small femoral canal, increased femoral neck version, important leg length discrepancy or proximal femoral deformity. The outcome in these patients is less assured and associated with high rate of complications. Therefore, we did a retrospective study aiming to answer: 1) can the Wagner Cone stem provide acceptable mid- to long-term implant survivorship; 2) help minimizing perioperative adverse events; 3) produce favorable clinical outcome measured by WOMAC score; and 4) be associated with a favorable radiographic femoral bone remodeling at the last follow-up?

HYPOTHESIS

Wagner Cone stem is an advantageous solution for the distorted proximal femur in complex THA.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Our cohort was derived from the patient registries where medical records of 88 patients (103 hips) who underwent primary THA using the Wagner prosthesis were retrospectively reviewed. Then, data was analyzed for patients' demographics and surgical data, and comparing preoperative, immediate postoperative and last follow-up data. Eleven patients (12 hips) were excluded (7 hips followed up less than 2 years or lost to follow-up, 3 hips that had the Wagner stem for revision and 2 Wagner stems inserted for periprosthetic fracture). This left 77 patients (91 hips) with Wagner cone stems implanted for more than 2 years between March 2003 and February 2017 by 7 surgeons in 3 academic hospitals. Implant revision, reoperations, WOMAC score and radiographic analyses were recorded at last follow-up.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 7.8 (range, 2.0-16.2) years, Wagner stem survivorship was 98.9% (95% CI: 94 to 100%) with one (1.1%) stem revision for failure of osteointegration. Five (5.5%) acetabular revisions, one for aseptic loosening, 2 for adverse reaction to metal debris and 2 for infection. One (1.1%) sciatic neuropathy and 4 (4.4%) intraoperative fractures were encountered. The mean WOMAC score was 90.5±11.4 (59-100). Radiographic analysis showed clear signs of stem osseointegration and hypertrophic bone remodeling in 82 cases (92.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Used in complex cases with proximal distorted femurs, the Wagner Cone stem demonstrated a low complication rate, a high-rate consistent adaptive bone remodeling, excellent clinical results, and midterm survival. It is a safe, reliable and advantageous option in complex primary THA. However, the contribution of the underlying cause of the secondary osteoarthritis on the long-term survival of the stem remains to be demonstrated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV; retrospective study.

Validation of CT-Based Three-Dimensional Preoperative Planning in Comparison with Acetate Templating for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to compare the accuracy of CT-based preoperative planning with that of acetate templating in predicting implant size, neck length, and neck cut length, and to evaluate the reproducibility of the two methods.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted between August 2020 and March 2021. Patients who underwent elective primary total hip arthroplasty by a single surgeon were assessed for eligibility. The included patients underwent both acetate templating and CT-based planning by two observers after the operation. Each observer conducted both acetate templating and CT-based planning twice for each case. The outcome measures included the following: (1) the accuracy of surgical planning in predicting implant size, calcar length, and neck length, which was defined as the difference between the planned size and length and the actual size and length; (2) reproducibility of the two planning techniques, which were assessed by inter-observer and intra-observer reliability analysis; (3) the influence of potential confounding factors on planning accuracy, which was evaluated using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

A total of 57 cases were included in the study. CT-based planning was more accurate than acetate templating for predicting cup size (93% vs 79%, p < 0.001) and stem size (93% vs 75%, p < 0.001). When assessed by mean absolute difference, the comparison between acetate templating and CT-based planning was 4.28 mm vs 3.74 mm (p = 0.122) in predicting neck length and 3.05 mm vs 2.93 mm (p = 0.731) in predicting neck cut length. In the inter-observer reliability analysis, an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.790 was achieved for predicting cup size, and an ICC of 0.966 was achieved for predicting stem size using CT-based planning. In terms of intra-observer reliability, Observer 1 achieved an ICC of 0.803 for predicting cup size and 0.965 for predicting stem size in CT-based planning. Observer 2 achieved ICC values of 0.727 and 0.959 for predicting cup and stem sizes, respectively. The average planning time was 6.48 ± 1.55 min for CT-based planning and 6.12 ± 1.40 min for acetate templating (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSION

The CT-based planning system is more accurate than acetate templating for predicting implant size and has good reproducibility in total hip arthroplasty.

Fast-Track-Protocol for Optimization of Presurgical Planning in Acute Surgical Treatment of Acetabular Quadrilateral Plate Fractures Using 3D Printing Technology and Pre-Contoured Reconstruction Plates

Background. Preoperative planning and 3D printing can be used to treat pelvic bone fractures using pre-contoured surgical plates, in particular complex, comminuted fractures involving the acetabulum and quadrilateral plate. The aim of the study was to develop a Fast-Track-Protocol (fast track methodology) for creating 3D anatomical models, that could be used to shape surgical plates, using open-source software and budget 3D printers. Such a ‘low-budget’ approach would allow a hospital-based multidisciplinary team to carry out pre-surgical planning and treat complex pelvic fractures using 3D technology. Methods. The study included 5 patients with comminuted pelvic fractures. For each patient, CT (computed tomography) data were converted into two 3D models of the pelvis-injured side and mirrored model of the contralateral, uninjured hemipelvis. These models were 3D printed and used as templates to shape surgical plates. Results. A Fast-Track-Protocol was established and used to successfully treat 5 patients with complex, comminuted fractures of the pelvis. Conclusion. Using the Fast-Track-Protocol it was possible to prepare 3D printed models and patient-specific pre-contoured plates within 2 days of hospital admittance. Such an approach resulted in better surgical technique and shorter operative times, while incurring relatively low costs.

Minimum 10 years clinical results of an anatomical short stem with a proximal hydroxyapatite coating

OBJECTIVES

The CentPillar stem (Stryker Orthopaedics), an anatomical short stem, was designed to match the proximal femoral canal shape in both patients with normal hips and those with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The long-term outcomes of the CentPillar stem was examined herein.

METHODS

In total, 222 hips that underwent total hip arthroplasty using the CentPillar stem were analyzed. DDH was the main reason for surgery (79.3%). Implant survivorship was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. For radiographic evaluation, stress shielding was assessed using the Engh classification. For functional evaluation, patients' ability to perform deep hip bending activities (sit on the floor, squat, and sit straight) was assessed.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 13.1 years, 2 stem revisions were performed (aseptic loosening and late hematogenous periprosthetic infection), and the overall cumulative implant survival rate was 99.0% at 15 years. In the radiographic evaluation, grade >3 stress shielding was found in only one hip. More than 80% of the patients were able to perform each of the three deep hip bending activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Good fixation at the proximal part of the femur was obtained, and the implant survival rate of the CentPillar stem was excellent during a long-term follow-up.

Three-dimensional pre-operative planning of primary hip arthroplasty: a systematic literature review

Three-dimensional (3D) pre-operative planning in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is being recognized as a useful tool in planning elective surgery, and as crucial to define the optimal component size, position and orientation. The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing literature for the use of 3D pre-operative planning in primary THA.A systematic literature search was performed using keywords, through PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, to retrieve all publications documenting the use of 3D planning in primary THA. We focussed on (1) the accuracy of implant sizing, restoration of hip biomechanics and component orientation; (2) the benefits and barriers of this tool; and (3) current gaps in literature and clinical practice.Clinical studies have highlighted the accuracy of 3D pre-operative planning in predicting the optimal component size and orientation in primary THAs. Component size planning accuracy ranged between 34-100% and 41-100% for the stem and cup respectively. The absolute, average difference between planned and achieved values of leg length, offset, centre of rotation, stem version, cup version, inclination and abduction were 1 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 4°, 7°, 0.5° and 4° respectively.Benefits include 3D representation of the human anatomy for precise sizing and surgical execution. Barriers include increased radiation dose, learning curve and cost. Long-term evidence investigating this technology is limited.Emphasis should be placed on understanding the health economics of an optimized implant inventory as well as long-term clinical outcomes. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:845-855. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200046.

Modification of regional bone mineral density due to femoral rasping in cementless proximally fixed total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Three-dimensional planning (3DP) in total hip arthroplasty using computed tomography (CT) to analyze bone mineral density (BMD) at the stem-femur interface has a high reported accuracy and excellent mid-term results in the literature. However, 3DP does not take into account the effect of femoral rasping on BMD distribution within the rasped cavity. Characterizing the impact of femoral rasping on BMD may help avoid mechanical failures, but this data is not accurately investigated. Therefore, we set out a cadaveric study to identify if: (1) Femoral rasping modified regional BMD in areas considered critical for bone anchorage of cementless metaphyseally fixed anatomic stems. (2) In areas of bone-implant contact with an initial high BMD, does femoral rasping increase BMD?

HYPOTHESIS

Femoral rasping increases BMD in some zones considered critical for bone anchorage of cementless metaphyseally fixed anatomic stems within the rasped femoral cavity.

METHODS

Four cadaveric femurs were selected to undergo a rasping procedure similar to surgical techniques used for metaphyseally fixed anatomic stems. Images of femurs before and after rasping were obtained with a micro-CT scanner (pixel size 35μm). BMD values before and after rasping were compared in a trabecular bone ring of 3mm thickness around the cavity created by the rasps, in a region extending 3cm above and 2cm below the middle of the lesser trochanter.

RESULTS

Average BMD increased significantly after rasping in 3 of the 4 femurs (13% (0.27 to 0.30) (p=0.004)), 12% (0.32 to 0.36 (p=0.034)) and 15% (0.4 to 0.46 (p=0.001)), while there was no significant variation in the last femur (0.32 to 0.32 (p>0.05)). Increases in regional BMD were significantly higher in the lateral and medial areas, as well as in the most distal femoral regions. There were significantly lower variations of BMD in regions with initially higher BMD.

DISCUSSION

Current opinion considers trabecular bone debris from femoral rasping to have an impact on final stem position and outcome. Our study has demonstrated an overall positive effect of femoral rasping on BMD in the rasped cavity. Understanding this in the context of 3DP may help avoid mechanical failures such as, suboptimal implant fit, fill, and stability as well as femoral fractures during stem implantation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, Prospective in vitro study.