Objective To investigate the application value of intraoperative CT navigation in posterior thoracic pedicle screw placement for scoliosis patients. Methods Between October 2009 and December 2011, 46 patients with scoliosis were treated with thoracic pedicle screw placement under intraoperative CT navigation in 21 cases (group A) or under C-arm fluoroscopy in 25 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in age, gender, type of scoliosis, involved segment, and Cobb angle of main thoracic curve between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). A total of 273 thoracic pedicle screws were placed in group A and 308 screws in group B. The pedicle screw position evaluated and classified by intraoperative CT images according to the Modi et al. method; and the accurate rate, the safe rate, and the potential risk rate of pedicle screws were calculated on the upper thoracic spine (T1-4), the middle thoracic spine (T5-8), the lower thoracic spine (T9-12), and the entire thoracic spine (T1-12). The accuracy and security of thoracic pedicle screw placement were compared between 2 groups. Results On the entire thoracic spine, the accurate rate of group A (93.4%) was significantly higher than that of group B (83.8%), the safe rate of group A (98.9%) was significantly higher than that of group B (92.5%), showing significant differences between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). However, the potential risk rate of group B (7.5%) was significantly higher than that of group A (1.1%) (P lt; 0.05). On the upper, the middle, and the lower thoracic spines, there was no significant difference in the accurate rate, the safe rate, and the potential risk rate of pedicle screws between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). According to CT evaluation results, the potential risk pedicle screws were revised or removed during operation. The patients of 2 groups had no neurological deficits through physical examination of nervous system at 3 days after operation. Conclusion Intraoperative CT navigation can improve the accuracy and security of posterior thoracic pedicle screw placement and it can ensure the safety of operation by finding and promptly removing or revising the potential risk pedicle screws.
ObjectiveTo investigate the anatomical characters of the sustentaculum tali (ST), accurate entry point and direction for the placement of ST screw from posterior subtalar joint facet to the constant fragment (CF) in calcaneal fractures.MethodsA total of 100 patients with calcaneal fractures performed ankle CT scans were enrolled between January 2016 and April 2016. According to the inclusion criteria, the clinical data of 33 patients were analyzed, including 18 males and 15 females, with a median age of 41.0 years (range, 18-60 years). There were 16 cases on left side and 17 cases on the right side. Three-dimensional (3D) calcaneal model was reconstructed by Mimics 17.0 software, and the ST anatomical references were measured, including the length of upper and lower edge, the length and height of the midline, the horizontal angle between the midline and foot plantar surface. The parameters of the optimal entry point position (P’ point) and placement angle of the ST screw were determined. The length of ST screw was also measured. The differences between males and females or left and right sides were compared.ResultsThe length of upper edge of the ST was (16.60±2.23) mm, lower edge (20.65±2.90) mm, midline (20.56±2.62) mm, and the height of midline was (9.61±1.36) mm. The horizontal angle between the midline and foot plantar surface was (23.43±3.36)°. The vertical distance from P’ point to the lowest point of the tarsal sinus was (3.09±1.65) mm, while the horizontal distance was (14.29±2.75) mm. The distance from P’ point to the apex of the lateral talus, subchondral bone of subtalar joint, calcaneocuboid joint was (11.41±3.22), (6.59±2.22), (34.58±3.75) mm, respectively. The horizontal angle between the ST screw and foot plantar surface was (–1.17±2.07)°. The anteversion angle of ST screw was (16.18±2.05)° and the length was (41.64 ± 3.09) mm. There were significant differences in the length of upper and lower edge, the length and height of the midline, the distance from P’ point to the apex of the lateral talus, subchondral bone of subtalar joint, and calcaneocuboid joint, and the anteversion angle and length of the ST screw between males and females (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in above all parameters between left and right sides (P>0.05).ConclusionAfter appropriate reduction of the calcaneal fractures, the entry point of ST screw was recommended at about 14 mm posterior and about 3 mm upper related to the foot horizontal line through the lowest tarsal sinus point; and the direction of ST screw placement was about 17° anteversion for males and 15° anteversion for females.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness and screw planting accuracy of percutaneous reduction and internal fixation with robot and traditional fluoroscopy-assisted in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar fractures without neurological symptoms.MethodsThe clinical data of 58 patients with single-level thoracolumbar fractures without neurological symptoms between December 2016 and January 2018 were retrospectively analysed. According to different surgical methods, the patients were divided into group A (28 cases underwent robot-assisted percutaneous reduction and internal fixation) and group B (30 cases underwent fluoroscopy-assisted percutaneous reduction and internal fixation). There was no neurological symptoms, other fractures or organ injuries in the two groups. There was no significant difference in general data of age, gender, fracture location, AO classification, time from injury to surgery, and preoperative vertebral anterior height ratio, sagittal Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score between the two groups (P>0.05). The screw placement time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, hospitalization time, operation cost, postoperative complications, VAS score, ODI score, anterior vertebral height ratio, and sagittal Cobb angle before operation, at 3 days, 6 months after operation, and at last follow-up were recorded and compared between the two groups. The accuracy of the pedicle screw placement was evaluated by Neo’s criteria.ResultsThe screw placement time, operation time, and intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency of group A were significantly less than those of group B, and the operation cost was significantly higher than that of group B (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization time between the two groups (P>0.05). Both groups were followed up 12-24 months, with an average of 15.2 months. The accuracy rate of screw placement in groups A and B was 93.75% (150/160) and 84.71% (144/170), respectively, and the difference was significant (χ2=5.820, P=0.008). Except for 1 case of postoperative superficial infection in group A and wound healing after dressing change, there was no complication such as neurovascular injury, screw loosening and fracture in both groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (χ2=0.625, P=0.547). The anterior vertebral height ratio, sagittal Cobb angle, VAS score, and ODI score of the two groups were significantly improved (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between the two groups at all time points after operation (P>0.05).ConclusionThe spinal robot and traditional fluoroscopy-assisted percutaneous reduction and internal fixation can both achieve satisfactory effectiveness in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar fractures without neurological symptoms. However, the former has higher accuracy, fewer fluoroscopy times, shorter time of screw placement, and lower technical requirements for the operator. It has wide application potential.
ObjectiveTo compare the safety and accuracy of manual and robot-assisted cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screws fixation in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases with osteoporosis.MethodsThe clinical data of 58 cases of lumbar degenerative disease with osteoporosis treated by CBT screw fixation between February 2017 and February 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 29 cases were fixed with CBT screws assisted by robot (group A), 29 cases were fixed with CBT screws by hand (group B). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, body mass index, lesion type, T-value of bone mineral density, and operative segment (P>0.05), with comparability. The accuracy of implant was evaluated by Kaito’s grading method, and the invasion of CBT screw to the superior articular process was evaluated by Babu’s method.ResultsThe operation time and intraoperative blood loss in group A were significantly less than those in group B (t=−8.921, P=0.000; t=−14.101, P=0.000). One hundred and sixteen CBT screws were implanted in the two groups. At 3 days after operation, according to the Kaito’s grading method, the accuracy of implant in group A was 108 screws of grade 0, 6 of grade 1, and 2 of grade 2; and in group B was 86 screws of grade 0, 12 of grade 1, and 18 of grade 2; the difference was significant (Z=4.007, P=0.000). There were 114 accepted screws (98.3%) in group A and 98 (84.5%) in group B, the difference was significant (χ2=8.309, P=0.009). At 3 days after operation, according to Babu’s method, there were 85 screws in grade 0, 3 in grade 1, and 2 in grade 2 in group A; and in group B, there were 91 screws in grade 0, 16 in grade 1, 5 in grade 2, and 4 in grade 3; the difference was significant (Z=7.943, P=0.000). No serious injury of spinal cord, nerve, and blood vessel was found in the two groups. One patient in group A had delayed cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and 2 patients in group B had mild anemia. Both groups were followed up 10-14 months (mean, 11.6 months). The neurological symptoms were improved, and no screw loosening or fracture was found during the follow-up.ConclusionCompared with manual implantation of CBT screw, robot-assisted spinal implant has higher accuracy, lower incidence of invasion of superior articular process, and strong holding power of CBT screw, which can be applied to the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases with osteoporosis.
Objective To investigate the influence of axis pedicle and intra-axial vertebral artery (IAVA) alignment on C2 pedicle screw placement by measuring the data of head and neck CT angiography. MethodsThe axis pedicle diameter (D), isthmus height (H), isthmus thickness (T), and IAVA alignment types were measured in 116 patients (232 sides) who underwent head and neck CT angiography examinations between January 2020 and June 2020. Defined the IAVA offset direction by referencing the vertical line through the center of C3 transverse foramen on the coronal scan, it was divided into lateral (L), neutral (N), and medial (M). Defined the IAVA high-riding degree by referencing the horizontal line through the outlet of the C2 transverse foramen, it was divided into below (B), within (W), and above (A). The rate of pedicle stenosis, high-riding vertebral artery, and different IAVA types were calculated, and their relationships were analysed. Simulative C2 pedicle screws were implanted by Mimics 19.0 software, and the interrelation among the rates of pedicle stenosis, high-riding vertebral artery, IAVA types, and vertebral artery injury were analyzed. ResultsThe rate of C2 pedicle stenosis was 33.6% (78/232), and the rate of high-riding vertebral artery was 35.3% (82/232). According to the offset direction and the degree of riding, IAVA was divided into 9 types, among which the N-W type (29.3%) was the most, followed by the L-W type (19.0%) and the L-B type (12.9%), accounting for 60.9%. The vertebral artery injury rate of simulative implanted C2 pedicle screws was 35.3% (82/232). The vertebral artery injury rate in patients with pedicle stenosis and high-riding vertebral artery was significantly higher than that who were not (P<0.001). The rate of pedicle stenosis, high-riding vertebral artery, and vertebral artery injury were significantly different among IAVA types (P<0.001), and M-A type was the most common. ConclusionVertebral artery injury is more common in pedicle stenosis and/or high-riding vertebral artery and/or IAVA M-A type. Preoperative head and neck CT angiography examination has clinical guiding significance.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of O-arm navigation and ultrasound volume navigation (UVN) in guiding screw placement during minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) surgery. Methods Sixty patients who underwent MIS-TLIF surgery for lumbar disc herniation between June 2022 and June 2023 and met the selection criteria were included in the study. They were randomly assigned to group A (screw placement guided by UVN during MIS-TLIF) or group B (screw placement guided by O-arm navigation during MIS-TLIF), with 30 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in baseline data, including gender, age, body mass index, and surgical segment, between the two groups (P>0.05). Intraoperative data, including average single screw placement time, total radiation dose, and average single screw effective radiation dose, were recorded and calculated. Postoperatively, X-ray film and CT scans were performed at 10 days to evaluate screw placement accuracy and assess facet joint violation. Pearson correlation and Spearman correlation analyses were used to observe the relationship between the studied parameters (average single screw placement time and screw placement accuracy grading) and BMI. Results The average single screw placement time in group B was significantly shorter than that in group A, and the total radiation dose of single segment and multi-segment and the average single screw effective radiation dose in group B were significantly higher than those in group A (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total radiation dose between single segment and multiple segments in group B (P>0.05), while the total radiation dose of multiple segments was significantly higher than that of single segment in group A (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the accuracy of screw implantation between the two groups (P>0.05). In both groups, the grade 1 and grade 2 screws broke through the outer wall of the pedicle, and no screw broke through the inner wall of the pedicle. There was no significant difference in the rate of facet joint violation between the two groups (P>0.05). In group A, both the average single screw placement time and screw placement accuracy grading were positively correlated with BMI (r=0.677, P<0.001; r=0.222, P=0.012), while in group B, neither of them was correlated with BMI (r=0.224, P=0.233; r=0.034, P=0.697). Conclusion UVN-guided screw placement in MIS-TLIF surgery demonstrates comparable efficiency, visualization, and accuracy to O-arm navigation, while significantly reducing radiation exposure. However, it may be influenced by factors such as obesity, which poses certain limitations.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of HoloSight Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery Robot-assisted infra-acetabular screw placement for treatment of acetabular fractures. Methods The clinical data of 23 patients with acetabular fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation and infra-acetabular screw placement in two medical centers between June 2022 and October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the the method of infra-acetabular screw placement, the patients were divided into navigation group (10 cases, using HoloSight Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery Robot-assisted screw placement) and freehand group (13 cases, using traditional X-ray fluoroscopy to guide screw placement). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, cause of injury, time from injury to operation, and Judet-Letournel classification between the two groups (P>0.05). The time of infra-acetabular screw placement, the fluoroscopy frequency, the guide pin adjustment times, the quality of screw placement, the quality of fracture reduction, and the function of hip joint were compared between the two groups. ResultsAll patients completed the operation successfully. The time of screw placement, the fluoroscopy frequency, and guide pin adjustment times in the navigation group were significantly less than those in the freehand group (P<0.05). The quality of screw placement in the navigation group was significantly better than that in the freehand group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-11 months, with an average of 7.7 months. There were 9 and 9 cases in the navigation group and the freehand group who achieved excellent and good fracture reduction quality at 1 week after operation, and 12 and 12 cases with excellent and good hip joint function at last follow-up, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The fractures in both groups healed well, and there was no significant difference in healing time (P>0.05). During the follow-up, there was no complication related to screw placement, such as failure of internal fixation, vascular and nerve injury, incisional hernia. ConclusionIn the treatment of acetabular fractures, compared with the traditional freehand screw placement, the HoloSight Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery Robot-assisted screw placement can reduce the time of screw placement, improve the accuracy of screw placement, and reduce the amount of radiation, which is an efficient, accurate, and safe surgical method.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of spinal robot-assisted pedicle screw placement through different surgical approaches and to guide the clinical selection of appropriate robot-assisted surgical approaches. MethodsThe clinical data of 14 patients with thoracolumbar vertebral diseases who met the selection criteria between January 2023 and August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and all of them underwent pedicle screw placement under assistant of the Mazor X spinal surgery robot through different surgical approaches. The patients were divided into posterior median approach (PMA) group (n=6) and intermuscular approach (IMA) group (n=8) according to the surgical approaches, and there was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, disease type, and fixed segment between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, screw-related complications, and reoperation rate were recorded and compared between the two groups; the inclination angle of the screw, the distance between the screw and the midline, and the caudal inclination angle of the screw were measured based on X-ray films at immediate after operation. Results There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no screw-related complication such as nerve injury in both groups, and no patients underwent secondary surgery. At immediate after operation, the inclination angle of the screw, the distance between the screw and the midline, and the caudal inclination angle of the screw in the IMA group were significantly greater than those in the PMA group (P<0.05). ConclusionThere are differences in the position and inclination angle of screws placed with robot-assisted surgery through different surgical approaches, which may be due to the obstruction of the screw path by soft tissues such as skin and muscles. When using spinal robot-assisted surgery, selecting the appropriate surgical approach for different diseases can make the treatment more reasonable and effective.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of robot-assisted and traditional freehand screw placement in the treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation. Methods The clinical data of 55 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation who met the selection criteria between January 2021 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different screw placement methods, they were divided into the traditional group (using the traditional freedhand screw placement, 31 cases) and the robot group (using the Mazor X robot-assisted screw placement, 24 cases). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, etiology, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, cervical spine Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, operation cost, and intraoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The VAS score and cervical spine JOA score were used to evaluate the improvement of pain and cervical spinal cord function before operation and at 1 month after operation. CT examination was performed at 3 days after operation, and the accuracy of screw placement was evaluated according to Neo grading criteria. Results All the 55 patients successfully completed the operation. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and operation cost in the robot group were significantly higher than those in the traditional group (P<0.05). A total of 220 C1 and C2 pedicle screws were inserted in the two groups, and 94 were inserted in the robot group, with an accuracy rate of 95.7%, among them, 2 were inserted by traditional freehand screw placement due to bleeding caused by intraoperative slip. And 126 pedicle screws were inserted in the traditional group, with an accuracy rate of 87.3%, which was significantly lower than that in the robot group (P<0.05). There were 1 case of venous plexus injury in the robot group and 3 cases in the traditional group, which improved after pressure hemostasis treatment. No other intraoperative complication such as vertebral artery injury or spinal cord injury occurred in both groups. All patients were followed up 4-16 months with an average of 6.6 months, and there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). Postoperative neck pain significantly relieved in both groups, and neurological symptoms relieved to varying degrees. The VAS score and cervicle spine JOA score of both groups significantly improved at 1 month after operation when compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the score change between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion In the treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation, the accuracy of robot-assisted screw placement is superior to the traditional freedhand screw placement.