Computed tomography-based 3-dimensional preoperative planning for unlinked total elbow arthroplasty.

HYPOTHESIS

Three-dimensional (3D) surgical planning for unlinked total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) would be helpful for estimation of the implant size and accurate placement of implants.

METHODS

We included 28 patients who underwent TEA with an unlinked total elbow implant in this study. All patients underwent computed tomography scans of the elbow before surgery, and a 3D digital model of the elbow was reconstructed. After the appropriate size and position of the prosthesis were determined, 10 points around the bone tunnel (4 on the humerus and 6 on the ulna) were measured to plan the insertion of the humeral and ulnar stems. Two-dimensional planning was also performed using anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Intraoperatively, the surgeon measured the planned parameters using a slide gauge to reproduce the 3D planned position of the stem insertion.

RESULTS

The stem sizes were accurately estimated in 57% of patients for the humerus and 68% for the ulna with 2-dimensional planning and in 86% for the humerus and 96% for the ulna with 3D planning. The mean differences between the positions of the prostheses after surgery with reference to the planned positions were 0.8° of varus and 1.5° of flexion for the humeral component and 0.7° of varus and 2.9° of flexion for the ulnar component. We did not evaluate rotational positioning in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3D surgical planning allowed accurate estimation of the implant size and appropriate placement of implants. This method may contribute to a reduced incidence of complications and improved long-term outcomes from TEA.