Augmented reality-assisted versus conventional total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Extended reality (XR), including virtual reality, augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality, has been used to help achieve accurate acetabular cup placement in total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aimed to compare the differences between XR-assisted and conventional THA. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for studies from inception to September 10, 2023. The outcomes were accuracy of inclination and anteversion, duration of surgery, and intraoperative blood loss. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software. RESULTS: A total of five studies with 396 patients were included in our study. The pooled results indicated AR-assisted THA had better accuracy of inclination and anteversion than conventional THA (SMD = − 0.51, 95% CI [− 0.96 to − 0.07], P = 0.02; SMD = − 0.96, 95% CI [− 1.19 to − 0.72], P < 0.00001), but duration of surgery and intraoperative blood loss were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis found that AR-assisted THA had better accuracy of inclination and anteversion than conventional THA, but the duration of surgery and intraoperative blood loss were similar in the two groups. Based on the pooled results, we suggested that AR can provide more precise acetabular cup placement than conventional methods in THA. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-023-04421-0.