Comparison of Time Taken in Conventional versus Active Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: Computer- and robotic-assisted total knee replacement procedures have been shown to improve the accuracy of the implant size. It also allows dynamic confirmation of the implant and limb alignment during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The major inhibition of the arthroplasty surgeon in adapting to the robotic-assisted TKA (RA-TKA) is the extra time spent during the registration process and milling of the bone with the robot. The aim of the study was to ascertain the extra time spent during these 2 steps as compared to the conventional TKA (C-TKA). Methods: It is a prospective study involving 30 patients each in the conventional TKA and RA-TKA operated by the same surgical team. The patients were given a choice between the C-TKA and RA-TKA and consecutive 30 cases in each group were studied by an independent observer. In the C-TKA group, the time for the application of appropriate zigs and execution of the bone cuts and soft -tissue release was recorded whereas in the RA-TKA group, the time taken for fixation of the tibial and femoral arrays and bone registration and bone milling with robot and required soft -tissue release was measured. Results: The preoperative patient characteristics were the same in both groups. The time taken in the C-TKA and RA-TKA groups was 24.77 +/- 1.92 minutes and 25.03 +/- 3.27 minutes, respectively, which is statistically insignificant (p = 0.709). Conclusions: The study findings show that RA-TKA does not take additional time than C-TKA.