[Navigator concept. Optimizing the procedure for navigated total knee arthroplasty]. / Das Navigatorkonzept. Prozessoptimierung in der navigierten Knieendoprothetik.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study addresses work sharing during navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty. Specifically, the concept is introduced of a "navigator" assistant who operates the navigation system during surgery while the surgeon concentrates on the primary steps of surgery. METHODS: In a prospective study of 40 total knee arthroplasties, one group of patients was treated using the navigator concept, a second group was treated using a conventional navigation setup, and a third group was treated with conventional internal and external alignment jigs. Surgery time and outcome parameters were compared. RESULTS: Results show a significant difference in surgery time between the three groups. The conventional and navigator concept groups showed similar surgery times; however, the navigation group without navigation concept exhibited longer surgery time. CONCLUSIONS: The navigator concept represents a highly effective principle to minimize surgery time needed during navigated total knee arthroplasty.