Determining the orientation of acetabular prosthesis in total hip arthroplasty by refering to the anatomical landmarker of acetabular notches

The aim of this study was to explore a novel method to determine the orientation of acetabular prosthesis in total hip arthroplasty (THA) by refering to the anatomical landmarker of acetabular notches. Forty-one normal developmental hips were included in the present study. The acetabulums were reamed according to standard surgical procedures of THA on life-size 3D printing pelvis models. The inferior edge of acetabular cup were placed (1–5) mm proximal and distal to the proximal line of the anterior and posterior acetabular notches (PLAPAN) respectively to determine cup inclination. The inferior edge of acetabular cup were placed (1–5) mm pronating and supinating around the proximal point of acetabular posterior notch (PPAPN) respectively to determine cup anteversion. The pelvis plain radiographs were took and the inclination and anteversion of the acetabular cup at 22 positions were calculated. In the normal developmental hip, the mean inclination of acetabular prothesis were (35.10 ± 3.22)° and (45.90 ± 2.68)° when the inferior edge of the acetabular cup was 3 mm proximal and 1 mm distal to the PLAPAN. The optimal cup inclination could be obtained when the inferior edge of the acetabular cup was 1 mm proximal to the PLAPAN (the mean inclination was (40.71 ± 2.80)°). The mean anteversion of acetabular prothesis were (10.67 ± 4.55)° and (20.86 ± 4.44)° when the inferior edge of the acetabular cup was 1 mm pronating and 1 mm supinating around the PPAPN. The optimal cup anteversion could be obtained when the inferior edge of the acetabular cup was parallel to the PLAPAN (the mean anteversion was (18.00 ± 1.64)°). The inclination and anteversion of acetabular prosthesis could be determined by refering the anatomical landmarks of acetabular notches, which could help orthopedists to install the acetabular prosthesis quickly and safely in THA.