Postsurgical infection from using a computed tomography-based hip navigation system during total hip arthroplasty

PurposeA computed tomography (CT)-based hip navigation system is a useful tool for achieving precise implant alignment angle. However, it has the disadvantage of prolonged procedure duration. A prolonged procedure duration may increase the incidence of postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) or periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following primary THA. Studies identifying whether CT-based hip navigation system increases the incidence of SSI and PJI compared to the free-hand technique for total hip arthroplasty (THA) are rare. The study aimed to assess whether the CT-based hip navigation system can cause SSI and PJI compared to the free-hand technique.MethodsWe investigated 366 patients with osteoarthritis who completed the minimum 2-year follow-up and underwent primary THAs (n=435), including 70 hips in 62 patients of the non-navigation group and 365 hips in 304 patients of the navigation group. We compared the incidence rate of SSI and PJI between the non-navigation group and navigation group.ResultsOnly three patients in the navigation group (0.8%) developed SSI or PJI, while no patient developed SSI or PJI in the non-navigation group. There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of SSI or PJI between the two groups (P=1.0), although the mean operation time in the navigation group was about 20 min longer.ConclusionsCT-based hip navigation system may not be associated with SSI or PJI after primary THA, although it prolongs the operation time.