Computer-Guided Navigation System Efficiency Evaluation Using Surgical Instruments for Spinal Fusion

Int J Med Robot. 2024 Dec;20(6):e70033. doi: 10.1002/rcs.70033.

Abstract

Background: Navigation surgical systems have been widely used in spinal fusion to ensure accuracy and safety during pedicle screw insertion.

Methods: The research was performed under laboratory conditions, using stereotactic navigation, surgical instruments for spinal fusion, development of additional devices and software. During the experiments, all stages of the computed tomography-guided navigation system use were performed-preoperative preparation of patient data and planning to provide visual control of the navigation of surgical instruments during the insertion of screws.

Results: The 20 screws were inserted into the vertebrae of the lumbar spine phantom with an average pedicle width of 12.6 ± 1.29 mm with 100% clinical accuracy. The 30 screws were inserted into cadaveric sheep vertebrae with an average pedicle width of 6.56 ± 0.58 mm with 96.67% efficiency.

Conclusions: The proposed navigation technique of the CT-guided navigation system is highly effective in the navigation process of surgical instruments and pedicle screws during spinal fusion.

Keywords: computer‐guided navigation; navigation; pedicle screw; spinal fusion; surgical instruments.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Screws
  • Cadaver
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae* / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae* / surgery
  • Pedicle Screws*
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Sheep
  • Software
  • Spinal Fusion* / instrumentation
  • Spinal Fusion* / methods
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted* / instrumentation
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted* / methods
  • Surgical Instruments
  • Surgical Navigation Systems
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*