HKU uses robotic arm for better hip replacement surgery

The HKU Faculty of Medicine team has found that using robotic-arm assistance for total hip replacement surgery can significantly reduce the chances of needing a second operation.

The team uses robotic assistance, which allows for precise pre-operative localization of the pelvis (hip) and femur, using three-dimensional CT scans.

Based on the research results, at 90 days after surgery, only 0.6% of patients would need to “open” again (i.e., undergo a re-operation), which is 70% fewer than with traditional surgical methods. Even if a second surgery is required, it can be done using a minimally invasive (closed) approach.

The team also said that while robotic-assisted surgery takes about 14 minutes longer than traditional surgery, they believe that as experience is accumulated, the operation time will be shortened.