The influence of the surgeon’s handedness and standing position at the operating table on the radiological outcomes in primary total knee arthroplasty

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare radiological outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in mechanical alignment implant positioning in the coronal and sagittal planes depending on surgeons’ handedness and their position at the operating table.

Methods

A total number of 200 consecutive patients with idiopathic osteoarthritis and varus knees who underwent TKA were retrospectively included in this research. Patients were operated on by 4 surgeons (50 for each surgeon) selected according to their handedness and position at the operative table. Surgeon I (right-handed, standing at the operating table always on the right side); Surgeon II (left-handed, standing at the operating table always on the left side); Surgeon III (right-handed, standing at the operating table on the side of the operated limb); Surgeon IV (left-handed, standing at the operating table on the side of the operated limb).

Results

Comparing postoperative radiological results statistically significant differences were calculated in the case of deviation from HKA angle (left TKA -1.5°; Interquartile Range [IQR] = -2.6−[-1] vs right TKA -3°; IQR = -4.5−[-2]; p = 0.01) for surgeon II and MPTA for surgeon IV (left TKA 0°; IQR = -1–0.5 vs right TKA 1°; IQR = 0–2; p < 0.01). Higher deviation from the mechanical alignment angles and implant positioning was revealed for a less convenient operation site for the surgeon.

Conclusion

We recommend that all surgeons performing TKAs from the less comfortable side should take great care in establishing the MPTA and HKA angles to avoid surgical errors in implant positioning and limb alignment.