A new study from the Rush University Medical Center has collected data on the effect of augmented reality tools on the placement of pedicle screws during surgery.
The study “Augmented Reality in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Early Efficacy and Complications of Percutaneous Fixation with Pedicle Screws” was published September 28, 2022 in the Journal of the Spine.
“Overall, the accuracy of pedicle screws has improved with the increased use of navigation-based instruments, which have been described as accurate in 89-100% of cases. Emergence in spine surgery Augmented reality technology builds on state-of-the-art spine navigation to provide a 3D view of the spine and greatly reduce the impact of inherent ergonomic and performance issues,” the researchers write.
Augmented reality systems typically feature wireless headsets with transparent nearby eye displays that project intraoperative 3D images directly onto the surgeon’s retina.
To study the effects of augmented reality, three senior surgeons at two institutions used it to place spinal-guided percutaneous pedicle screw instruments for a total of 164 minimally invasive procedures.
Of these, 155 for degenerative diseases, 6 for tumors and 3 for spinal deformities. A total of 606 pedicle screws were placed, including 590 in the lumbar spine and 16 in the thoracic spine.
The investigators analyzed patient demographics, surgical parameters including total posterior access time, clinical complications, and device revision rates.
The time from registration and percutaneous access to final screw placement averaged 3 minutes 54 seconds for each screw. When surgeons had more experience with the system, the operation time was the same in early and late cases. After 6-24 months of follow-up, no instrument modifications were required due to clinical or radiographic complications.
The investigators noted that a total of 3 screws were replaced during the operation, and no radiculopathy or neurological deficit was recorded in the postoperative period.
The researchers noted that this is the first report on the use of augmented reality for spinal pedicle screw placement in minimally invasive procedures and confirms the efficacy and safety of these procedures using the technology.
Study authors include Alexander J. Butler, MD, Matthew Colman, MD, and Frank M. Philips, MD, all from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. James Lynch, MD, Spine Nevada, Reno, Nevada, also participated in the study.
Post time: Oct-31-2022