Tissue-sparing surgery (TSS) and computer-assisted surgery (CAS) in knee reconstruction: Bi-unicompartmental vs total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

In the beginning of this century, a new ideal of a renewed, less invasive, reconstructive surgery began to grow in the whole orthopedic world, moving firstly from USA. Likewise, minimally invasive total knee replacement is growing in popularity because of faster recoveries, theoretical reduced blood losses, and reduced economical costs [1-3]. Nevertheless, economical pressures by companies interested in an increasing market have played an important role in developing these new trends. However, less-invasive surgery has been often identified both by surgeons and manufacturers as requiring shorter surgical approaches to implant the same prostheses used with traditional approaches, performing the so called key-hole surgery even with new potential risks (malalignment, avulsions, and local wound problems). More recently, different authors recommend caution toward these mini-incision techniques in total joint replacement [4, 5].