The accuracy and inter-observer reliability of acetate templating in total hip arthroplasty

摘要

Aim: The accuracy and inter-observer reliability (IOR) of acetate templating on hard copy X-rays in 33 primary total hip arthroplasties as measured by consultant and trainee surgeons was analyzed to find out how accurate are junior surgeons undertaking specialty training. Methods: The study was questionnaire-based using a prospective cohort over a 4 weeks period. The Surgeon measurements of acetabular cup, femoral stem and femoral offset sizes were noted following acetate measurements and then compared with the final implant chosen during surgery. Results: Prediction of sizing to within one size of the final match size was 75 % accurate for cup and 91 % accurate for femoral stem. Prediction of exact femoral offset sizes was 91 % accurate. Templating showed strong IOR between senior consultant surgeon and junior trainee registrar within one size for cup (83 %) and stem (100 %) and for exact hip offset prediction (92 %). Conclusion: We conclude that acetate templating on hard copy X-rays is beneficial to surgeons to gauge acetabular cup and femoral stem size to within one size range. This further helps in predicting nearly exact femoral offset size.