Is sequential bilateral robotic total knee arthroplasty a safe procedure? A matched comparative pilot study.

INTRODUCTION

To our knowledge, no papers have reported the results of robotic-assisted surgery for sequential bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Indeed, sequential bilateral TKA present several benefits, as one single anesthesia, surgical episode, hospitalization, and rehabilitation. The purpose of our study was to evaluate peri-operative outcomes and compare the complication rates, clinical outcomes, and implant positioning of sequential bilateral TKA performed with a robotic-assisted system versus a conventional technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients who underwent a sequential bilateral robotic-assisted primary TKA (raTKA) in our institution between November 2019 and February 2021 were included. Twenty patients met the inclusion criteria and were matched with 20 sequential bilateral TKA performed with a conventional technique. The two groups were comparable for the demographic data and the preoperative parameters, including preoperative anticoagulation and ASA score. The minimum follow-up was 6 months.

RESULTS

The operative time was significantly longer in the robotic group (< 0.0001), with a mean additional time of 29 min. There was no significant difference between both groups for postoperative blood loss, rate of blood transfusion, or postoperative pain. The average length of stay was 5 days. There was one early complication in the robotic group due to the tibial trackers. The functional outcomes were similar between both groups, except for the functional KSS score, which was better at 6 months in the robotic group (p < 0.0001). The restoration of the knee alignment and the distal femoral anatomy were significantly better in the robotic group than in the conventional group.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a longer operative time, the peri-operative parameters of sequential bilateral TKA were similar between robotic and conventional techniques. Further, sequential bilateral raTKA was at least as safe as a conventional technique, without additional risk of medical complications.