An Automated Size Recognition Technique for Acetabular Implant in Total Hip Replacement

TL;DR

This paper presents an automated digital technique for recognizing acetabular implant sizes in preoperative planning for total hip replacement, aiming to replace manual methods with a more efficient and accurate approach.

Contribution

A novel automated method based on acetabular diameter for implant size recognition in THR preoperative planning is introduced and validated.

Findings

Achieved 90% accuracy compared to manual methods

Validated on 10 patient X-rays

Potential to improve preoperative planning efficiency

Abstract

Preoperative templating in Total Hip Replacement (THR) is a method to estimate the optimal size and position of the implant. Today, observational (manual) size recognition techniques are still used to find a suitable implant for the patient. Therefore, a digital and automated technique should be developed so that the implant size recognition process can be effectively implemented. For this purpose, we have introduced the new technique for acetabular implant size recognition in THR preoperative planning based on the diameter of acetabulum size. This technique enables the surgeon to recognise a digital acetabular implant size automatically. Ten randomly selected X-rays of unidentified patients were used to test the accuracy and utility of an automated implant size recognition technique. Based on the testing result, the new technique yielded very close results to those obtained by the observational method in nine studies (90%).