Comparison of the learning curves of the osteotomy guide robot and guide plate-based robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract

Background: This study compared the learning curves and clinical outcomes of osteotomy guide robot and guide plate-based robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Patients and methods: From January to May 2023, 100 patients were prospectively enrolled to receive either a guide plate-based robot or an osteotomy guide robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty. The thickness of the osteotomy planned by the robot and the actual thickness were recorded in real time during the operation, as was the time taken for each step in the operation, including bone registration and osteotomy. The SF-12, HSS score, and FJS of the patients before surgery and 6 weeks and 24 months after surgery were also collected.

Results: For surgeon 1, the average operating time with the guide plate-based robot and osteotomy guide robot was 98.16 ± 9.68 and 118.52 ± 15.95 min, respectively; the difference was significant. The average time of the last 10 cases was shorter than that of the first 10 cases. The inflection points of the osteotomy learning curve of surgeon 1 with two robotic systems were at case 5 and case 9. The average operative times for Surgeon 2's two robotic surgery groups were 104.52 ± 12.65 min and 105.76 ± 33.03 min, respectively. The inflection points of the osteotomy learning curves using the two robotic systems occurred at case 13, respectively. Patients who underwent guide plate-based robot or osteotomy guide robot-assisted TKA had similarly improved knee recovery, reflected in the SF-12, HSS score, and FJS.

Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the osteotomy learning curve between the two robotic systems. The improvement in knee functional recovery was similar after the guide plate-based robot and the osteotomy guide robot-assisted TKA.

Level of evidence: Level II.