Computer-assisted hip resurfacing using individualized drill templates.

The goal of this study was to investigate whether individualized templates can provide an accurate and reliable computer-assisted system for femoral component placement during hip resurfacing. A consecutive series of 45 patients were examined. Using a 3-dimensional computer model of the femur, the drill trajectory for the central pin of the stem was planned. A surface-matched plastic drilling template was created using a rapid prototyping machine. This patient-specific drill guide was intraoperatively positioned on the patient anatomy, the central pin was drilled into the femoral neck, and the accuracy of the placement with respect to the planned central pin alignment was measured. With mean deviation between planned and actual central pin alignment of 1.14 degrees in varus and 4.49 degrees in retroversion, individualized templates were as accurate as conventional computer-assisted hip resurfacing. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.