Robotics for spinal operations: reality or Alice in Wonderland?

Accuracy of pedicle screw placement comparing robot-assisted technology and the free-hand with fluoroscopy-guided method in spine surgery: An updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

A miniature spine-mounted robot has recently been introduced to further improve the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in spine surgery. However, the differences in accuracy between the robotic-assisted (RA) technique and the free-hand with fluoroscopy-guided (FH) method for pedicle screw placement are controversial. A meta-analysis was conducted to focus on this problem.

METHODS

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies involving RA and FH and published before January 2017 were searched for using the Cochrane Library, Ovid, Web of Science, PubMed, and EMBASE databases. A total of 55 papers were selected. After the full-text assessment, 45 clinical trials were excluded. The final meta-analysis included 10 articles.

RESULTS

The accuracy of pedicle screw placement within the RA group was significantly greater than the accuracy within the FH group (odds ratio 95%, "perfect accuracy" confidence interval: 1.38-2.07, P < .01; odds ratio 95% "clinically acceptable" Confidence Interval: 1.17-2.08, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant differences in accuracy between RA surgery and FH surgery. It was demonstrated that the RA technique is superior to the conventional method in terms of the accuracy of pedicle screw placement.

Comparison of Accuracy of Pedicle Screw Insertion Among 4 Guided Technologies in Spine Surgery

Background

As an available new tool for spinal surgery, robotic technology holds great potential and has been demonstrated to have better clinical outcomes compared with traditional techniques. However, it has not been compared with other assisted tools for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. This article focused on studying such variances.

Material/Methods

A total of 176 pedicle screws were inserted in 39 patients using a spine robot (group 1), 134 screws were implanted in 28 patients using navigational template (group 2), 234 screws were implanted in 51 patients by O-arm-based navigation (group 3), and 346 screws were implanted in 72 patients by fluoroscopy-guided assistance (group 4). The screw position was evaluated using postoperative scans according to Rampersaud A to D classification, and other secondary data were also collected.

Results

“Perfect” pedicle screw insertion (Grade A) was 90.34%, 91.79%, 84.19%, and 65.03% of groups 1–4, respectively. “Clinically acceptable” screw implantation (Grade A+B) was 94.32%, 95.52, 90.60%, and 78.03% in groups 1–4, respectively. Deviation sagittal (°) respectively was 3±9, 2±10, 4±7, and 10±8° in groups 1–4, respectively. Deviation transversal (°) screw insertion was 3±8, 3±7, 4±9, and 8±13° in groups 1–4, respectively. Statistical analysis showed group 1 had no significant difference in the accuracy of “Perfect and Clinical acceptable” as well as deviation sagittal or transversal, respectively, compared with groups 2 and 3 but not group 4.

Conclusions

Robotic-assistance technology no clear advantage in terms of accuracy compared to the navigation template or O-arm systems for screw implantation, but it significantly reduced adverse events, fluoroscopy time per screw, postoperative stay, and blood loss.