This study […] provides important independent evidence for patients, surgeons and policymakers at a time when robotic hip and knee replacement surgery is being adopted rapidly
Hasan Mohammad
In the hip replacement study, researchers found no overall reduction in repeat surgery or mortality associated with robotic surgery. However, robotic hip replacement was associated with a lower risk of further surgery for problems related to implant positioning. This specific benefit did not translate into an overall reduction in the need for repeat surgery.
For knee replacement, researchers found no difference in the risk of repeat surgery between robotic-assisted and conventional procedures.
The studies examined early outcomes, and the researchers say longer-term follow-up will be needed to establish whether differences in implant survival emerge over time.
The team used a method known as target trial emulation to analyse large-scale real-world registry data. The statistical approach aims to make comparisons between groups more closely resemble those of a clinical trial by balancing patients according to known differences in their characteristics.
Dr Hasan Mohammad, Academic Clinical Lecturer in Trauma and Orthopaedics at Queen Mary University of London and lead author, said: “This study, which uses novel methodology and represents the largest real-world analysis of its kind worldwide, provides important independent evidence for patients, surgeons and policymakers at a time when robotic hip and knee replacement surgery is being adopted rapidly. New technology should deliver meaningful benefit for patients and represent good value for a publicly funded health service.”
Source: Queen Mary University of London