title: Adjustable cutting blocks for computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty: a cadaver study.
abstract: Computer-navigation in total knee arthroplasty has been reported to increase accuracy but also procedure duration. We compared surgical time and precision using a novel adjustable cutting block vs freehand navigation with conventional blocks on 12 bilateral cadaver tibiae. The mean time required was significantly less to position the adjustable block than the conventional block (2 minutes 10 seconds vs 6 minutes 35 seconds, P = .006). Guide positioning precision (standard deviation) for the adjustable block vs conventional block was as follows: varus/valgus, 0.24 degrees vs 1.16 degrees (P = .015); posterior slope, 0.35 degrees vs 0.74 degrees (P = .13); and cut height, 0.37 vs 1.41 mm (P = .010). There were no significant differences in the final bone cut accuracy between the 2 groups. The use of adjustable cutting blocks simplifies navigated procedures and may reduce the time required to perform a navigated total knee arthroplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Computer Assisted Surgery Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koulalis
authors.forename: Padhraig F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: O'Loughlin
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plaskos
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kendoff
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pearle
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella / Q000601:surgery; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors