Intraoperative pelvic movement is associated with the body mass index in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty in the supine position.

Abstract

There are very few reports on pelvic movement during total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the supine position. We investigated intraoperative pelvic motion in the sagittal and axial planes to determine if preoperative clinical factors, including body mass index (BMI) affect intraoperative pelvic motion. Fifty-three patients with osteoarthritis undergoing THA in the supine position were included. Clinical factors, such as age, BMI, and pelvic tilt were assessed preoperatively. Intraoperative pelvic motion in the axial and sagittal planes was assessed using a portable navigation system. We assessed the change in pelvic tilt from registration to cup implantation as the pelvic tilt change; positive values indicated anterior pelvic tilt. We measured the values and absolute values of changes in axial rotation from registration to cup implantation to determine the axial rotation angle. The effects of patient factors on pelvic motion (pelvic tilt change and axial rotation angle) were analyzed using a Spearman's correlation analysis. Preoperative pelvic tilt was negatively correlated with pelvic tilt change (r = -0.57, p < 0.05) and the absolute axial rotation angle (r = -0.57, p < 0.05). BMI and absolute axial rotation angle were negatively correlated (r = -0.54, p < 0.05). Age was not correlated with change in the pelvic tilt and the axial rotation angle. Preoperative pelvic tilt and BMI are important factors to determine intraoperative pelvic motion in patients who undergo THA in the supine position. This can help surgeons to preoperatively identify patients with a higher risk of intraoperative pelvic motion.