Abstract
Introduction:
Alignment of the initial femoral guidewire is critical in avoiding technical errors that may increase the risk of failure of the femoral component. A novel alternative to conventional instrumentation for femoral guidewire insertion is a computed tomography (CT) based alignment guide. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of femoral component alignment using a CT-based, patient specific femoral alignment guide.
Methods:
Between March 2010 and January 2011, 25 hip resurfacings utilizing a CT-based femoral alignment guide were performed by three surgeons experienced in hip resurfacing. Stem-shaft angle (SSA) accuracy was assessed using minimum 6 week post-operative digital radiographs. A benchside study was also conducted utilizing six pairs of cadaveric femora. Each pair was divided randomly between a group utilizing firstly a conventional lateral pin jig followed by computer navigation and a group utilizing a CT-based custom jig. Guidewire placement accuracy for each alignment method was assessed using AP and lateral radiographs.
Results:
In the clinical series, the post-operative SSA differed from the planned SSA by a mean of 1.3° (SD 4.8, range −9–14). The final SSA measured within ± 5° of the planned SSA in 20 of 24 cases (83%). There was no significant difference between surgeons in post-operative SSA accuracy (p = 0.697). In the benchside study, the custom jig (mean error 6.4°, SD 2.9) provided a comparable level of accuracy to that of the conventional jig (mean error 5.5°, SD 3.6, p = 0.851). Guidewire version using the custom jig (mean error 1.0°, SD 0.4) was comparable to computer navigation (mean error 3.9°, SD 2.1, p = 0.101) and was superior to the conventional jig (mean error 5.6°, SD 2.9, p = 0.008).
Conclusion:
CT-based, patient specific guidewire alignment jigs provide a satisfactory level of accuracy for alignment of the femoral component. A custom guidewire alignment jig is comparable to computer navigation and may be a better alternative to conventional instrumentation for placement of the initial femoral guidewire in hip resurfacing. Accuracy results of the device approach those previously established for imageless computer navigation in hip resurfacing (1).
