Preoperative Acetate Templating In Total Knee Arthroplasty: Does It Matter?

ABSTRACT Preoperative templating is a crucial step in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study was aimed to assess the accuracy of manual templating is reliable with the size for total TKA. Preoperative was performed on 100 patients prior to TKA. The acetate templating (Nexgen®, Zimmer®, 20% magnification) was used in this study. Magnification of radiographs was measured according to standard protocol. The mismatch of standard templated sizes preoperatively and sizes implanted were observed and recorded. The accuracy and reliability of preoperative templating were assessed. Data were analysed using Student’s t-test and ANOVA. Statistical analysis shows that there is no significant difference in the accuracy of templating and actual implant in both tibia and femur components (P > 0.05). The accuracy of template tibia component demonstrated 48% of accuracy and 95% within one size of mismatch. Meanwhile, in femoral, the component templating shown 47% accuracy and 97% within one size mismatch. There was no size mismatch for more than 2 sizes was noted. The study has shown that a higher tendency to template smaller size for both components in total knee arthroplasty is recommended. We concluded that the manual templating is an indispensable preoperative technique for TKA operations. Keywords: Arthroplasty, Total knee arthroplasty, templating, preoperative