Accuracy of digital pre-operative templating in 100 consecutive, uncemented total hip arthroplasties: a single surgeon series

Abstract

Introduction Uncemented components necessitate accurate intraoperative assessment of size to avoid complications such as calcar fracture and subsidence whilst maintaining bone stock on the acetabular side. Potential problems can be anticipated pre-operatively with the use of a templating system. We proposed that pre-operative digital templating could accurately assess femoral and acetabular component size. Methods Pre-operative templating data from 100 consecutive patients who received uncemented implants (Trident cup, Accolade stem) and who were operated on by the senior author were included in the study. Calibrated pelvis anterior-posterior X-rays were templated with Orthoview ™ software. Demographic data, templating data (stem and cup size, femoral neck cut), operative records (actual stem and cup size, head size) and post-operative data (femoral stem alignment, radiographic leg length, acetabular cup abduction angle) were collected. Results There were 51 males and 49 females with a mean age of 60 yrs (SD = 7.3 yrs). Seventy five percent of stems were templated to within 0.5 size and 98% to within 1 size. A total of 80% of cups were templated to within 2mm and 98% to within 4mm. 62% of head length was accurately template. Seven patients were converted from a templated 132° to a 127° femoral prosthesis neck angle. The acetabulum cup abduction angle was 45° (SD = 4.81) and stem alignment was 1.5° (SD = 1.13). The mean lower limb length discrepancy was +0.05mm (SD = 5.1 mm) post-operatively. Conclusion Digital templating is a accurate method of assessing femoral and acetabular component sizes. This allows surgeons to foresee potential problems and also recognize an intra-operative error when a large discrepancy exists between a trial component and the templated size.