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The accuracy and precision of computer assisted surgery in the assessment of frontal plane deviations of the lower extremity: a femoral fracture model

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Mechanical axis deviation of the lower extremity as a result of malreduction or malunion of fractures plays an important role in the development of arthritis. Therefore it is crucial to restore the limb alignment as accurate as possible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and precision of navigation in assessing isolated frontal plane (varus/valgus) deviations of the lower limb in a simulated fracture model of the femur.

Materials and methods

Three fracture models with ten specimens in each were created in femoral synthetic composite bones to simulate a subtrochanteric (AO/OTA 31-A1), mid-diaphyseal (AO/OTA 32-A3), and supracondylar (AO/OTA 33-A1) femur fracture. Each specimen was mounted on a custom holding device and registered with the navigation system. Eight custom-made aluminum wedges of varying angles (5°–26°) were used to create varus/valgus angulations at the fracture site. After wedge placement, the frontal plane deformity was recorded and registered by the navigation system. The means and standard deviations for each navigated wedge angle were calculated and compared to the actual wedge angle using a one sample t test. A single factor ANOVA test was subsequently performed to see if the differences between the navigated mean angles in each fracture group were statistically significant. The level of significance was defined as P < 0.05.

Results

None of the navigated mean angles were found to be significantly different from the actual wedge angles (P = 0.05–1.00). More specifically, the differences between the navigated mean angles and the actual wedge angles ranged from 0° to 0.7°. Furthermore, the differences between the navigated mean angles in each angle group were found to be statistically insignificant (P = 0.53–0.99).

Conclusion

The high accuracy and precision of navigation systems in determining frontal plane deformities of long bones can make them an invaluable tool for the exact reduction and realignment of lower extremity fractures.

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Acknowledgments

This investigation was supported by internal research funds available through the Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery at the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. The authors did not receive any outside funding or grants in support of their research for or preparation of this work. Neither they nor a member of their immediate families received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA, 98104, USA

    Afshin Khalafi

  2. Unfallchirurgische Klinik, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    Musa Citak, Daniel Kendoff, Tobias Huefner & Christian Krettek

Authors
  1. Afshin Khalafi
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  2. Musa Citak
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  3. Daniel Kendoff
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  4. Tobias Huefner
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  5. Christian Krettek
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Correspondence to Afshin Khalafi.

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Khalafi, A., Citak, M., Kendoff, D. et al. The accuracy and precision of computer assisted surgery in the assessment of frontal plane deviations of the lower extremity: a femoral fracture model. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 129, 1183–1187 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-009-0818-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-009-0818-8

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