Significant Decreased Radiation Exposure in Percutaneous Adult Degenerative Spinal Instrumentation with Robotic Guidance

OBJECTIVEMost surgeons are forced to turn their heads away from the surgical field to see various intraoperative support monitors. These movements may result in inconvenience to surgeons and lead to technical difficulties and potential errors. Wearable devices that can be attached to smart glasses or any glasses are novel visualization tools providing an alternative screen in front of the user’s eyes, allowing surgeons to keep their attention focused on the operative task without taking their eyes off the surgical field. The aim of the present study was to examine the feasibility of using glasses equipped with a wearable display device that transmits display monitor data during fluoroscopically guided minimally invasive spinal instrumentation surgery.METHODSIn this pilot prospective randomized study, 20 consecutively enrolled patients who underwent single-segment posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) at L5–S1 performed using the percutaneous pedicle screw technique were randomly divided into two groups, a group for which the surgeon used a wearable display device attached to regular glasses while performing surgery (smart glasses group) and a group for which the surgeon did not use such a device (nonglasses group). Real-time intraoperative fluoroscopic images were wirelessly transmitted to the display device attached to the surgeon’s glasses. The number of head turns performed by the surgeon to view the standard fluoroscopic monitor during procedures and the operative time, estimated blood loss, radiation exposure time, screw placement accuracy, and intraoperative complication rate were evaluated for comparison between the two groups.RESULTSThe number of surgeon head turns to view the fluoroscopic monitor in the smart glasses group was 0.10 ± 0.31 times, which was significantly fewer than the head turns in the nonglasses group (82.4 ± 32.5 times; p < 0.001). The operative and radiation exposure times in the smart glasses group were shorter than those in the nonglasses group (operative time 100.2 ± 10.4 vs 105.5 ± 14.6 minutes, radiation exposure time 38.6 ± 6.6 vs 41.8 ± 16.1 seconds, respectively), although the differences were not significant. Postoperative CT showed one screw perforation in the nonglasses group, and no intraoperative complications were observed in either group.CONCLUSIONSThis is, to the authors’ knowledge, the first report on the feasibility of using this wearable display device attached to glasses for fluoroscopically guided minimally invasive spinal instrumentation surgery. Smart glasses display devices such as this one may be a valid option to facilitate better concentration on operative tasks by improving ergonomic efficiency during surgery.

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Current applications of robotics in spine surgery: a systematic review of the literature

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2017.2.focus16544 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 42 (5) ◽

pp. E2 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Jacob R. Joseph ◽

Brandon W. Smith ◽

Xilin Liu ◽

Paul Park

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Learning Curve ◽

Radiation Exposure ◽

Spine Surgery ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Spinal Instrumentation ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Pubmed Database ◽

The Impact ◽

Robotic Applications

OBJECTIVESurgical robotics has demonstrated utility across the spectrum of surgery. Robotics in spine surgery, however, remains in its infancy. Here, the authors systematically review the evidence behind robotic applications in spinal instrumentation.METHODSThis systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Relevant studies (through October 2016) that reported the use of robotics in spinal instrumentation were identified from a search of the PubMed database. Data regarding the accuracy of screw placement, surgeon learning curve, radiation exposure, and reasons for robotic failure were extracted.RESULTSTwenty-five studies describing 2 unique robots met inclusion criteria. Of these, 22 studies evaluated accuracy of spinal instrumentation. Although grading of pedicle screw accuracy was variable, the most commonly used method was the Gertzbein and Robbins system of classification. In the studies using the Gertzbein and Robbins system, accuracy (Grades A and B) ranged from 85% to 100%. Ten studies evaluated radiation exposure during the procedure. In studies that detailed fluoroscopy usage, overall fluoroscopy times ranged from 1.3 to 34 seconds per screw. Nine studies examined the learning curve for the surgeon, and 12 studies described causes of robotic failure, which included registration failure, soft-tissue hindrance, and lateral skiving of the drill guide.CONCLUSIONSRobotics in spine surgery is an emerging technology that holds promise for future applications. Surgical accuracy in instrumentation implanted using robotics appears to be high. However, the impact of robotics on radiation exposure is not clear and seems to be dependent on technique and robot type.

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Accuracy of Image-Guided Pedicle Screw Placement Using Intraoperative Computed Tomography-Based Navigation With Automated Referencing. Part II: Thoracolumbar Spine

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/neu.0b013e31822ba190 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 69 (6) ◽

pp. 1307-1316 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Kai-Michael Scheufler ◽

Joerg Franke ◽

Anke Eckardt ◽

Hildegard Dohmen

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Radiation Exposure ◽

Intraoperative Imaging ◽

Thoracolumbar Spine ◽

Spinal Instrumentation ◽

Classification Systems ◽

Intraoperative Computed Tomography ◽

Image Guided ◽

Thoracic Pedicle Screws ◽

Automated Registration

Abstract BACKGROUND Image-guided spinal instrumentation may reduce complications in spinal instrumentation. OBJECTIVE To assess accuracy, time efficiency, and staff radiation exposure during thoracolumbar screw instrumentation guided by intraoperative computed tomography (iCT)-based neuronavigation (iCT-N). METHODS In 55 patients treated for idiopathic and degenerative deformities, 826 screws were inserted in the thoracic (T2–T12; n = 243) and lumbosacral (L1–S1; n = 545) spine, as well as ilium (n = 38) guided by iCT-N. Up to 17 segments were instrumented following a single automated registration sequence with the dynamic reference arc (DRA) uniformly attached to L5. Accuracy of iCT-N was assessed by calculating angular deviations between individual navigated tool trajectories and final implant positions. Final screw positions were also graded according to established classification systems. Clinical and radiological outcome was assessed at 12 to 14 months. RESULTS Additional intraoperative fluoroscopy was unnecessary, eliminating staff radiation exposure. Unisegmental K-wire insertion required 4.6 ± 2.9 minutes. Of the thoracic pedicle screws 98.4% were assigned grades I to III according to the Heary classification, with 1.6% grade IV placement. In the lumbar spine, 94.4% of screws were completely contained (Gertzbein classification grade 0), 4.6% displayed minor pedicle breaches <2 mm (grade 1), and 1% of lumbar screws deviated by >2 to <4 mm (grade 2). The accuracy of iCT-N progressively deteriorates with increasing distance from the DRA, but allows safe instrumentation of up to 12 segments. CONCLUSION iCT-N using automated referencing allows for safe, highly accurate multilevel instrumentation of the entire thoracolumbosacral spine and ilium, rendering additional intraoperative imaging dispensable. In addition, automated registration is time-efficient and significantly reduces the need for re-registration in multilevel surgery.

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