Complications of fixed infrared emitters in computer-assisted total knee arthroplasties

Abstract

Background: The first stage in the implant of a total knee arthroplasty with computer-assisted surgery is to fasten the emitters to the femur and the tibia. These trackers must be hard-fixed to the bone. The objectives of our study are to evaluate the technical problems and complications of these tracker-pins, the necessary time to fix them to the bone and the possible advantages of a new femoral-fixed tracker-pin.

Can Computer Assistance Improve the Clinical and Functional Scores in Total Knee Arthroplasty?

“…Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) is a potentially cost-effective addition to TKA [19]. Although it has been reported that CAS successfully reduces the number of alignment outliers, navigation requires more surgery time [13,15], is more expensive, has a learning curve, and there is the possibility of complications and adverse effects owing to tracker fixing [8]. In a prospective study of 40 patients having TKAs, 20 were randomized to a standard, manual, jig-based technique and the other 20 were treated with CAS [9].…”

Intra-operative tibial fracture during computer assisted total knee replacement: a case report

“…More recently, Hernandez-Vaquero et al reported a 2.5% incidence of ''minor problems'' related to tracker fixation. No fractures, infections or neurovascular injuries were seen [13].…”

Computer Assistance Increases Precision of Component Placement in Total Knee Arthroplasty with Articular Deformity

“…Complications in surgical navigation are related to technical mistakes or to problems with the anchoring of the trackers [8,9]. Some authors mention the low reproducibility of the measurements obtained with navigation, especially on the transepicondylar axis [18], whereas others demonstrate a TKA performed with the help of computerassisted surgical navigation did not result in more accurate implant positioning than that achieved in conventional TKA [10].…”