Appfication of bi-planar navigation robot system for insertion of sacroiliac screws

Abstract

Objective To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of applying the bi-planar navigation robot system for insertion of sacroiliac screws. Methods The actual positions of the tips of 2 Kirschner wires fixed on the motherboard of the system were measured. To evaluate the accuracy, the actual positions and the virtual positions adopted by the system were compared in 10 groups of data. Assisted by the bi-planar navigation robot system, 2 sacroiliac screws were inserted to the S1 vertebral body of one fresh mankind cadaver in a simulated surgical setup. The locations of the 2 screws were evaluated on the view of fluoroscopy and CT. The duration of operation and the fluoroscopic times between image acquisition and screw insertion were recorded. Results The discrepancies between the actual positions and the virtual positions were all within 2 mm. The actual positions of the guide-wire and the planning positions of the screw were perfect consistent on the fluoroscopic view. The 2 screws were inserted into the safe area of the S1 vertebrae. The operation duration for the first screw was 10＇36＂, and for the second was 6＇48＂. The fluoroscopic times during the whole operation were 11. Conclusions The bi-planar navigation robot system can provide precise and effective navigation for insertion of sacroiliac screws, decreasing the radiation exposure to the patient and the staff significantly. Key words: Surgery, computer-assisted; Robotis; Sacroiliac joint; Sacroiliac screw