Di-san junyi daxue xuebao (Mar 2022)
Short-term efficacy and learning curve of robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty
Abstract
Objective To retrospectively analyze the short-term efficacy and learning curve characteristics of SkyWalker orthopedic robot (hereinafter referred to as robot) assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods A total of 60 patients (60 knees) who underwent TKA for end-stage knee osteoarthritis in our center from October 2020 to February 2021 were enrolled in this study. They were divided into the robotic group (30 knees) and conventional group (30 knees). The scores of Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), imaging indexes, and operation-related indexes before surgery and 3, 6 months after surgery were studied and compared between the 2 groups. The learning curve-related indexes of the robot-assisted TKA group and conventional were compared; the short-term efficacy during the learning curve period between the 2 groups was compared. Results The total WOMAC score of the robotic group was better than that of the conventional group at 3 months after surgery (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference in the score at 6 months after surgery. The postoperative hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angeland frontal tibia component (FTC) angle of the robotic group were better than those of the conventional group (P < 0.05); the learning curve of the robotic group was 15 cases, and the learning curve indexes after 15 cases were significantly reduced (P < 0.05); the operation time of the robotic group during the learning curve period was longer than the conventional group (P < 0.05); intraoperative blood loss, HKA, FTC were better than the conventional group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Robot-assisted TKA has a short learning curve, abtains high accuracy, and can accurately reconstruct the lower limb alignment. It is less traumatic than conventional TKA, better clinical scores in the early postoperative period, but it also requires longer operation time.
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