[An animal experimental study on domestic robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the performance, safety, and precision of the Yuanhua robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty system (YUANHUA-TKA) through animal experiments, which will provide reference data for human clinical trials.

METHODS

Six 18-month-old goats, weighing 30-35 kg, were used in this study. The experimental study was divided into two parts: the preoperative planning and intraoperative bone resection. CT scans of the goats' lower extremities were firstly performed before the experiments. Then the CT scans were segmented to generate the femoral and tibial three-dimensional (3D) models in the YUANHUA-TKA system. The volumes and angles of each resection plane on the femur and tibia were planned. The bone resection was finally implemented under the assistance of the YUANHUA-TKA system. After completing all bone resections, the lower extremities of each goat were taken to have CT scans. By comparing the femoral and tibial 3D models before and after the experiments, the actual bone resection volumes and angles were calculated and compared with the preoperative values.

RESULTS

During the experiments, no abnormal bleeding was found; the YUANHUA-TKA system ran smoothly and stably and was able to stop moving and keep the osteotomy in the safe zone all the time. After the experiment, the resection planes were observed immediately and found to be quite flat. There was no significant difference between the planned and actual osteotomy thickness and osteotomy angle ( P>0.05); the error of the osteotomy thickness was less than 1 mm, and the error of the osteotomy angle was less than 2°.

CONCLUSION

The YUANHUA-TKA system can assist the surgeons to perform osteotomy following the planned thickness and angle values. It is expected to assist surgeons to implement more accurate and efficient osteotomy in the future clinical applications.