Gap balancing versus measured resection in primary total knee arthroplasty: A retrospective cohort study protocol

BACKGROUND: Recently, controversy still exists regarding the clinical effects of measured resection or gap-balancing technique in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical outcomes of conventional measured resection technique and computer-assisted gap-balancing technique in TKA. METHODS: Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology checklist. Patients underwent primary TKA by a single surgeon between 2014 and 2016 were reviewed. This study was approved by the institutional review board in our hospital and was registered in the Research Registry. Outcome measures included surgical time, intraoperative complications, patient satisfaction, Oxford Knee Score, range of motion, postoperative complications, and revision. RESULTS: This study had limited inclusion and exclusion criteria and a well-controlled intervention. CONCLUSION: We were able to directly compare the outcomes of measured resection versus gap-balancing techniques and might reveal a better technique in TKA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study protocol was registered in Research Registry (researchregistry5441).