Results of total hip replacement using the Robodoc surgical assistant system: clinical outcome and evaluation of complications for 97 procedures.
BACKGROUND
A computerized robotic surgical system was developed from 1986 by the Thomas J. Watson Research Center. In 1992 the system unit Orthodoc and the milling robot Robodoc were first used on humans. We present the results achieved with Robodoc-assisted total hip arthroplasty in 97 hips.


METHODS
Between 1997 and 2002, 143 total hip replacements (128 patients) were performed using the Robodoc system. This is a consecutive series. Complete follow-up was possible in 97 hips at a mean follow-up period of 3.8 years.


RESULTS
Technical complications directly related to the robotic device occurred in nine cases (9.3%). The pre-operative Merle d'Aubigne score was determined at 8.1 points compared to a post-operative mean score of 16.2. There was no sign of femoral stem loosening on radiographs.


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty with the Orthodoc/ Robodoc system achieves equal results as compared to a manual technique. However, there was a high number of technical complications directly or indirectly related to the robot.
Schulz
Arndt P
AP
Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Trauma Hospital, Hamburg, Germany. Robodoc@apschulz.de
Seide
Klaus
K
Queitsch
Christian
C
von Haugwitz
Andrea
A
Meiners
Jan
J
Kienast
Benjamin
B
Tarabolsi
Mohamad
M
Kammal
Michael
M
Jürgens
Christian
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome