Abstract
Authors describe their first experience with a computerized navigation system for cup insertion in THR (Medivision). Computer navigation systems started first at the Müller Institute (Bern) in 1991 when prof. Nolte inserted his first pedicle screw in a spine specimen.
In January 1997 a CT-based cup module for hip pros-thesis was developed in laboratory by prof. Nolte. At the end of 1998 a first clinical trial on a CT-based cup navigation started in Maastrict by Prof. Geesink. A new CT-free cup navigation module appeared on the scene at the end of 2000. The first clinical successful CT-free cup navigation was performed in Ludwigshafen by Dr. Grützner in January 2001.
More then 3000 hip implants have been done with good results in Europe. A postoperative CT accuracy study of cup orientation shows mean error of about 5° (to be published by Bernsmann et al. in summer 2001). Medivision uses in orthopedic surgery are multiple. Spine surgery, Pelvic Osteotomy, C-arm Navigator, C-arm Nailing, CT-based Cup, CT-free Cup, ACL-reconstruction, Total Knee Replacement. We used Medivision first in THA to asses cup orientation and lower limb length. First results confirm system reliability. The feeling with this computer-guided surgery is good and grew up every new case. Learning curve is not so long and deep if few principles are used.
The abstracts were prepared by Nico Verdonschot. Correspondence should be addressed to him at Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
