Robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty and the risk of postoperative infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Summary

87 studies, including 3 227 301 knees were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (R-TKA) with manual total knee arthroplasty (M-TKA). The analysis included 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 72 cohort studies. Pooled outcomes included periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), surgical site infection (SSI), overall postoperative infection, and PJI rates at different follow-up intervals. R-TKA was associated with significantly lower risks of PJI and overall infection, while SSI rates were comparable between treatments. PJI risk remained similar within the first 2 postoperative years, although R-TKA was associated with a lower risk beyond 2 years. These findings suggested that R-TKA provided comparable short-term infection safety to M-TKA, with a potential long-term advantage in reducing PJI.