Preoperative difference between 2D and 3D planning correlates with difference between planned and achieved surgical correction in patient-specific instrumented total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Purpose

The goals of this study were (1) to assess whether the preoperative difference between modalities and extent of deformity are associated with a higher difference between planned and achieved surgical correction and (2) if they yield a higher probability of intraoperative adjustments.

Methods

Retrospective single-centre analysis of patients undergoing patient-specific instrumented (PSI) total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Preoperative radiographic parameters were analysed on weightbearing (WB) long-leg radiographs (LLR) and nonweightbearing (NWB) computed tomography (CT). The 2D/3D difference was calculated as the difference between preoperative WB-LLR (2D) hip–knee–ankle angle (HKA), and NWB CT (3D) HKA. Surgical records were screened to retrieve intraoperative adjustments to the preoperative plan. Postoperative assessment was performed on WB LLR.

Results

Two-hundred-eighty-two knees of 263 patients were analysed. The difference of postoperative achieved to planned HKA (HKA_Difference) was 2.2° ± 1.7°. The preoperative 2D HKA showed the highest correlation with HKA_Difference (r = −0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.48 to −0.26, p < 0.001). Intraoperative adjustments were performed in 60% (n = 170) of all knees. Patients with a preoperative coronal deformity of >7.8° had 10.55 higher odds for an intraoperative coronal adjustment (95% CI: 4.60–24.20, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The extent of deformity is associated with residual coronal deformity following PSI-TKA. Patients with extensive coronal malalignment may benefit from an adaptation of the preoperative surgical plan to avoid unintended postoperative coronal malalignment. Despite the advancements with 3D preoperative planning, intraoperative adjustments in PSI-TKA are frequently performed, in particular in patients with a higher preoperative varus/valgus deformity.

Level of Evidence

Level III.