Introduction:

Since2007, we have used CT-based fluoroscopy-matching navigation system (Vector Vision Hip Ver.3.5.2, BrainLAB, Germany) in revision total hip arthroplasty. This system completes the registration procedure semi-automatically by matching the contours of fluoroscopic images and touching 3 adequate points to the contours of 3D bone model created in the computer. Registration procedure using fluoroscopic figures has finished before making surgical incision. It needs no elongation time during the operation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of CT-based fluoroscopy-matching navigation system in revision THA.

Introduction

Since2007, we have used CT-based fluoroscopy-matching navigation system (Vector Vision Hip Ver.3.5.2, BrainLAB, Germany) in Total hip arthroplasty. This system completes the registration procedure semi-automatically by matching the contours of fluoroscopic images and touching 3 adequate points to the contours of 3D bone model created in the computer. Registration procedure using fluoroscopic figures has finished before making surgical incision. It needs no elongation time during the operation. The accuracy of navigation system depends on the techniques of registration used for the navigation and secure fixation of the dynamic reference markers. These could be affected by the different type of approaches. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of CT-based fluoroscopy-matching navigation system in THA and compare the cup position by anterolateral and posteolateral approaches.

In the light of the increasing popularity of femoral resurfacing implants, there has been growing concern regarding femoral neck fracture. This paper presents a detailed investigation of femoral neck anatomy, the knowledge of which is essential to optimise the surgical outcome of hip resurfacing as well as short hip stem implantation.

Three-dimensional lower limb models were reconstructed from the CT-scan data by using the Mimics (Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgium). We included the CT data for 22 females and nine males with average age of 60.7 years [standard deviation: 16.4]. A local coordinate system based on anatomical landmarks was defined and the measurements were made on the unaffected side of the models.

First, the centre of the femoral head was identified by fitting an optimal sphere to the femoral head surface. Then, two reference points, one each on the superior and the inferior surface of the base of femoral neck were marked to define the neck resection line, to which an initial temporary neck axis was set perpendicular. Cross-sectional contours of the cancellous/cortical border were defined along the initial neck axis. For each cross-sectional contour, a least-square fitted ellipse was determined. The line that connects the centre of the ellipse at the base of the femoral neck and the centre of the femoral head was defined as the new neck axis. The above process was repeated to reduce variances in the estimation of the initial neck axis. The neck isthmus was identified according to the axial distributions of the cross-sectional ellipse parameters.

The short axis of the ellipse decreased monotonically since it was calculated from the center of the femoral head to the neck resection level (base of neck), whereas the long axis changed with the local minima. The cross section at which the long axis of the fitted ellipse had the local minima was determined as the neck isthmus.

The following measurements were made on the proximal part of the femur. The neck axis length measured from the center of the femoral head to the lateral endosteal border of the proximal femur was 67.3 mm [6.4]. The length between the center of the femoral head and the neck isthmus was 22.5 mm [2.7]. The diameter of the ellipse long axis at the neck isthmus was 27.6 mm [3.5] and was 23.6 mm [3.3] for the short axis.

The center of the neck isthmus did not align with the neck axis. The deviation of the isthmus from the neck axis which we defined as the isthmus offset was 0.7 mm [0.4].

If an alternative neck axis was defined between the center of the femoral head and the center of the neck isthmus, there would be a certain degree of angular shift with respect to the original neck axis. An angular shift of 1.8 degrees between the two axes can be expected for a 0.7-mm isthmus offset. In the worst case, an angular shift of 4.59 degrees was estimated for a subject with the largest isthmus offset of 1.93 mm.

Further investigations would be necessary to determine the axis configuration that represents the clinically relevant centre of the femoral neck. In order to reduce the deviations in the three-dimensional determination of the femoral neck axis, the reference anatomical landmarks and methods of evaluation should be carefully selected.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a bioactive material with a high affinity for bone. Ti-6Al-4V is lightweight and less biotoxic. Using these materials, a cementless hip prosthesis has been clinically used, consisting mainly of a Ti femoral stem coated with plasma-sprayed biocompatible HA. However, this type of stem entails several disadvantages: HA is likely to decompose at the coating; long term HA coating layer bonding to Ti is unstable and optimal HA thickness is unfeasible. In many actual cases, debonding of HA coating layer from the Ti surface was found upon removal of stems.

To resolve these concerns, we started developing a new hip prosthesis using composite materials comprised of Ti-6Al-4V and HA containing bioinactive and highly stable glass in 1985. The cementless hip prosthesis, named HAPG-Profile, unites the bioactive stem surface with the surrounding bone via adhesive glass. In basic experiments, the glass-coated HAPG-Profile has been demonstrated to possess much higher bonding stability than the plasma-sprayed HA, with bone affinity and safety not compromised. On the basis of these results, we manufactured the HAPG-Profile jointly with DePuy International, UK, and initiated a clinical trial in January 1997 in the teaching Hospital, Nagoya University School of Medicine, and Tokyo Kosei Nenkin Hospital. A total of 63 patients were followed up for more than two year and evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopedic Association Score and Harris Hip Score (HHS) clinically, functionally and radiographically. The results of the two-year follow-up study indicated success of early fixation associated with favorable outcomes.