Accuracy of digital preoperative templating in 100 consecutive uncemented total hip arthroplasties: a single surgeon series

Abstract

Digital templating is an accurate method of assessing femoral and acetabular component sizes. This allows surgeons to foresee potential problems and also recognize an intraoperative error when a large discrepancy exists between a trial component and the templated size. Preoperative templating data of pelvic radiographs from 100 consecutive patients receiving uncemented implants were templated with Orthoview software (version 2.0CEN; Meridian Technique Ltd, Southampton, United Kingdom). Seventy-five percent of stems were templated to within 0.5 size, and 98%, to within 1 size. Eighty percent of cups were templated to within 2 mm, and 98%, to within 4 mm, and 62% of head length was accurately template. Seven patients were converted from a templated 132° to a 127° femoral prosthesis neck angle. The mean lower limb length discrepancy was +0.05 mm (SD, 5.1 mm) postoperatively.