Ultrasound-based computer navigation of the acetabular component: a feasibility study.

Introduction: This feasibility study investigated the accuracy of anterior pelvic reference plane (APP) registration and acetabular cup orientation in two cadavers with different BMIs.

Method: Five observers each registered the APP five times in the 2 cadavers (BMIs: 32 kg/m(2) and 25 kg/m(2)) using an ultrasound-based navigation system. By comparison against the CT-derived reference landmarks, the errors in determining the individual landmarks defining the APP, as well as the resulting errors in the orientation of the APP and the acetabular cup orientation were determined.

Results: Across all measurements obtained with the ultrasound navigation system, the errors in rotation and version in determining the APP were 0.5° ± 1.0° and -0.4° ± 2.0°, respectively. The cup abduction and anteversion errors determined from all measurements of the five investigators for both cadavers together were -0.1° ± 1.0° and -0.4° ± 2.7°, respectively. The data further demonstrated a high reproducibility of the measurements for the resulting cup adduction and anteversion angle.

Conclusion: Our preliminary results confirm that ultrasound navigation is a highly accurate tool that allows a reproducible registration of the APP and thereby enables accurate and precise intraoperative determination of the acetabular cup orientation also in patients with increased BMI.