Learning Curves in 204 Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Replacements: Comparing Senior, Intermediate, and Senior-Junior Surgical Teams

Learning Curves in 204 Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Replacements: Comparing Senior, Intermediate, and Senior-Junior Surgical Teams

Hector Zamorano, MD, CHILE Roberto Yañez, MD,phD,prof, CHILE Sebastian Valdes, student, CHILE Gaston Caracciolo, CHILE Cristobal Yañez, MD, CHILE Sebastian Yanez, MD, CHILE Leonardo Javier Carabajal Vera, MD, ARGENTINA Lars Raymond Strömback, MD, CHILE Magaly Iñiguez, MD, CHILE

Clinica MEDS, Santiago, Metropolitana, CHILE


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Anatomic Location

Diagnosis / Condition

Treatment / Technique


Summary: Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty using the ROSA® system showed the fastest learning curve and earlier stabilization when performed by a senior-junior surgical team, with significantly shorter ischemia times, low complication rates, and a synergistic effect that supports collaborative integration of new surgical technologies.


Introduction

Robotic Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) aims to enhance surgical planning and outcomes. Performing 10–20 TKAs may be sufficient to stabilize surgical times, but it remains unclear whether senior surgeons in traditional TKA, intermediate-senior surgeons, or senior-junior teams learn more efficiently.

Objective

To evaluate the learning curves of senior, intermediate, and senior-junior surgical teams using the ROSA® robotic system, considering complication rates and overall outcomes during the first 25 rTKAs.

Methods

A total of 204 patients scheduled for TKA were prospectively enrolled between 2021 and 2024, following the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and ethical guidelines. Stability was assessed by slope changes that minimized cumulative error. Ischemia times and complication rates were compared among the senior team (25 years of traditional TKA experience), the intermediate team (15 years), and the senior-junior team (25 and 5 years, respectively). The first 25 rTKAs performed by each team were compared in terms of ischemia time and cumulative error differences using ANOVA and multiple comparisons (α = 0.05).

Results

The senior, intermediate, and senior-junior teams performed 25, 29, and 159 rTKAs, respectively, with ischemia times of 105 minutes [95% CI: 95.0–107.6], 98 minutes [95% CI: 91.1–104.6], and 65 minutes [95% CI: 62.1–67.9]. Only the senior-junior team achieved a stable slope (TKA = 88). Among the first 25 rTKAs, the senior-junior team demonstrated significantly shorter ischemia times and lower error differences compared to the intermediate team (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.2) and the senior team (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.2). No significant differences were found between the senior and intermediate teams (p = 1.000, Cohen’s d = 0.01). Complication rates were 2.3% (senior), 3.2% (intermediate), and 3.8% (senior-junior).

Discussion

and Conclusions: Robotic TKA using the ROSA® system demonstrated a clear learning curve, with significantly improved efficiency when procedures were performed by a senior-junior team. This team achieved faster ischemia times, earlier stabilization, and comparable complication rates to more experienced groups. The collaboration between a senior and a junior surgeon not only facilitated the adaptation to robotic assistance but also enhanced surgical performance, suggesting a synergistic dynamic that may accelerate the learning process. Importantly, all groups maintained low complication rates, supporting the safety of incorporating robotic assistance into TKA regardless of prior robotic experience. These findings underscore the value of mentorship and teamwork in the successful adoption of new surgical technologies.