Robotic arm-assisted acetabular reconstruction in revision total hip arthroplasty

Aims This study aimed to report the surgical techniques and early clinical results of robotic arm-assisted acetabular reconstruction in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods Between October 2019 and May 2021, we used the Mako robotic system to perform 62 revision THAs at our hospital. This study included 54 patients who underwent robotic arm-assisted revision THA for acetabular reconstruction. Surgical techniques using the robotic system to reconstruct the acetabulum, including preoperative planning, intraoperative registration, and the accuracy of different registration methods, are reported. The accuracy between the target acetabular component orientation and final orientation was evaluated. The latest follow-up Harris Hip Score (HHS) and radiographs were analyzed. Results Among the 54 hips included, four types of intraoperative registration methods with different surfaces were developed and registered 65 times. The overall success rate of the registration process was 98.5%. The mean accuracy of successful registration was 0.38 mm (0.2 to 0.5). The median difference between the target and final acetabular component orientations assessed by Mako was 1.0° (-2.0° to 0.0°) for inclination and 0.0° (-1.0° to 1.0°) for anteversion. Four hips were classified as outliers for acetabular component orientation. The reconstructed centres of rotation (CORs) were slightly lower than the anatomical CORs by a mean 4.72 mm (SD 4.71), and shifted laterally by 3.92 mm (SD 4.62) on postoperative radiographs. The median HHS improved significantly from 46.0 (IQR 33.0 to 58.3) preoperatively to 89.0 (IQR 78.3 to 93.0) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The overall satisfaction rate was 86.0% (n = 50). There were no radiological failures at the latest follow-up. Conclusion Robotic arm-assisted revision THA provides valuable information for the analysis of bone defects to guide reconstructive strategies. Robotic arm-assisted reaming and acetabular component or augment positioning facilitates accurate component position and orientation. The radiological and preliminary clinical results of this cohort were satisfactory. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2025;107-B(4):404–412.