Consistently high accuracy of digital 2D templating in total knee arthroplasty across different levels of surgical training

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the accuracy of two-dimensional (2D) digital templating in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and assess whether surgical training level affects templating accuracy. Methods A total of 424 patients who underwent primary TKA with preoperative 2D digital templating using the Attune system were retrospectively analyzed. Templating was performed in TraumaCad (Brainlab AG) by jun ior residents (<3 years of training), senior residents (≥3 years), or board-certified orthopaedic surgeons. Planned and implanted component sizes were compared, and accuracy was assessed as exact matches and devia tions of±1,±2, and±3 sizes. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the association between planned and implanted sizes. One-way ANOVA was used to compare mean absolute deviation across training levels. Addition ally, the proportion of cases with a deviation greater than±1 size was calculated for both components across experi ence levels and compared using chi-square tests. Results A total of 424 patients (61% female) were included. The median planned component sizes were 6 (IQR, 5–7) for the femoral and 6 (IQR, 5–7) for the tibial component; the median implanted sizes were 6 (IQR, 5–7) and 6 (IQR, 4–7), respectively. Planned and implanted sizes were very strongly correlated for both femoral (r=0.864; P<0.001) and tibial components (r=0.841; P<0.001). Templating accuracy was high, with 92.7% of femoral and 88.7% of tibial components within±1 size. No significant differences in correlation strength or mean absolute deviation were observed across training levels (P>0.05). The proportion of cases with> ±1 size deviation was low across all groups and did not differ significantly between training levels for either component (femoral: P=0.874; tibial: P=0.791). Conclusion 2D digital templating for primary TKA demonstrated high accuracy, with reliable prediction within a±1 size range and no significant influence of surgical training level. These findings support its continued clinical use and confirm that templating can be reliably performed by residents at all stages of training. Level of evidence Level III, diagnostic study.