Incidence of Fat Embolism With Computer Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty
Incidence of Fat Embolism With Computer Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty
The study to determine the if the incidence of Fat Embolism is decreased using Computer
 Assisted technology when performing a Total Knee Arthroplasty.
Computer assisted total knee arthroplasty is at its inception currently. There are many
 unknowns about this specific technique, particularly when it comes down to fat embolism
 syndrome. There is a high incidence of fat embolism during total knee arthroplasty as seen
 both by echocariography as well as sampling of right atrial blood. During a jig-based, or
 traditional, total knee arthroplasty, a rod is placed inside the femur, and sometimes the
 tibia as well. Intrusumentations of the medullary canal is known to cause fat embolism. Fat
 embolism is a syndrome which can produce post-operative confusion, hypoxemia, all the way to
 post-op and intra-operative death.

 Computer assisted total knee arthroplasty does not use intramedullary jigs. It is presumed
 that by not instrumenting the medullary canal, the rate of fat embolism will be significantly
 reduced.

 Fifty patient s will be studied while they are having a computer assisted total knee
 arthoplasty. A PICC line will be placed in their arm by an interventional radiologist
 pre-operatively. This PICC line will be thread into the right atrium. Right atrial blood will
 be sent to pathology every 10 minutes during the 60 to 90 minute procedure and at intervals
 post-op. The right atrial blood will be stained for bone marrow elements.

 This study is to presumed to show yet another benefit of computer assisted surgery.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Must be a candidate for Computer Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Mentally incompetent patients excluded