Minimally invasive implantation and computer navigation for a unicondylar knee system.

Clinical results of unicondylar knee arthroplasty can be improved by combining minimally invasive surgical techniques with computer-assisted navigation, according to results reported in the literature. The surgeons surveyed 23 patients who underwent a minimally invasive procedure and 15 patients who underwent a minimally invasive procedure with the use of computer-assisted navigation. The surgeons performed both minimally invasive surgical implantations using the Accuris unicondylar knee arthroplasty (onlay technique; Smith & Nephew, Memphis, Tenn) and the BrainLAB VectorVision uni-knee-system (Brain LAB, Inc, Westchester, Ill). Reported results showed significant improvement of the mechanical leg axis after a minimally invasive surgical procedure (range: 5.23 degrees-0.77 degrees) and a computer-assisted operation (range: 4.18 degrees-0.54 degrees). No significant change of slope and average angle of the implant in relation to the longitudinal tibial axis was reported. The study attempts to show that computer navigation used in minimally invasive unicondylar knee arthroplasty can improve positioning and axis calibration.