How Accurately Can Templating Software Predict Implant Sizes?
In line with the trend towards digitalization, more and more surgeons are using templating software to plan their surgeries within different orthopedic subspecialties and especially for hip replacement arthroplasty. The use of pre-operative software, such as Materialise Orthoview, has increased drastically over the past 15 years along with the higher adoption of digital picture and communication systems (PACS) to store medical data.
This study adds to the investigation on how accurate templating software can predict implant sizes by accessing for the first time in the UK a large, multi-surgeon database of total hip arthroplasties performed during a four years period.
Comparing template and final implant
Conducted by Dr. Michael Newman at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, the study was based on the digital planning data of four surgeons, who used OrthoView as their software templating tool. The research methodology was to compare the templated predictions made by Materialise OrthoView for femoral prosthesis size, femoral offset, and acetabular cup with what the surgeon implanted at the time of surgery.
In total, 354 cases were analyzed and used to calculate the difference between templating and final implant. The results were divided into three main categories, exact, undersized, and oversized, along with sub-categories of 1, 2, or 3 size parameters.
Photo credit: Materialise
Results show that over 96% of the templated implants were accurate within one component size
Standard hip implant
The results show that the vast majority of the pre-planned implants fit into acceptable size differences for surgery. The templating software was very accurate when templating the femoral prosthesis size and offset, giving the correct size 70% of the time (251 cases) and was accurate to within one size (þ/_1 component size) in 96,89% of the cases (343 cases).
Cases where sizes could differ from the digital planning may be, according to the study, an example of cases when the surgeon has manually switched component sizes that potentially falls between two component sizes. Another reason could be that the offset was borderline and an intraoperative decision was made to utilize the higher offset option.
Conclusion
The study concluded that planning using an accurate template may highlight intraoperative problems before surgery, meaning fewer problems arise during surgery and surgeons could make faster decisions in the OR. It also alerts the surgeon to stop and think why there is such a large deviation if it has occurred. Choosing the right implant before surgery also brings benefits for healthcare providers because inventory or competent stock can be more efficiently and effectively managed.
The complete study conducted by Dr. Newman, M., Shaw G. and Kane, T. can be accessed at Thieme E-Books & E-Journals
If you are a surgeon and would like to know more about the advantages of pre-operative software, watch the video of Dr. Ross Barker explaining why he believes pre-operative planning will become a mandatory procedure in the near future.
Or visit the OrthoView product page to request a trial.
Powerful insights,
inspiring outcomes
Here’s a selection of other articles on digital templating you might be interested in.
How to Plan Your Joint Replacement Surgeries More Precisely
Dr. Andrew Noble, Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute, USA
How to Save Costs and Time with Materialise OrthoView
Dr. Brett Levine, Rush University Medical Center, USA
Efficient THA Planning with OrthoView
Dr. Andrew Noble, Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute, USA
Download the ebook to learn how Materialise OrthoView can be used as an efficient planning tool for THA.