Initial Experience With VELYS Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement: Coronal Plane Accuracy and Effect of Robotic Training on Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

The use of robots for arthroplasty is gaining momentum in recent times to provide accuracy in bony cuts and alignment. We aimed to study the efficacy of coronal plane correction with a new robotic system (VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Surgery) and also the effect of the learning curve of robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RATKA) on outcomes. We hypothesize that the benefits of RATKA are not limited to only surgeons having specific training in robotic knee replacement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 101 RATKAs were performed between November 1, 2022, and December 1, 2022, by a surgeon and all the cases were included in this study. The first 50 consecutive knees were considered as 'Cohort I' and the next 51 consecutive knees as 'Cohort II'. The intraoperative robotic registration data and tourniquet time were recorded. On three months follow‑up, Oxford Knee Score and lower limb scannogram were recorded.

RESULTS

All the 101 cases achieved the desired coronal plane alignment within 3 degrees from neutral. There was a significant difference in the tourniquet time between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the mean three months post-operative values of coronal and sagittal deformity correction, range of flexion, and Oxford Knee Score between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The VELYS™​​​​​​​ robot-assisted system produces an accurate correction of coronal alignment. As the surgeon's experience increases with the system, there is a reduction in tourniquet time; however, the degree of deformity correction is comparable to that when he had no experience. Hence the benefits of RATKA are not limited to only surgeons having specific training in robotic-assisted knee replacement.