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Faster IM nail screw insertion found with electromagnetic technique
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 Brandon Burris |
SAN ANTONIO — A new intramedullary locking screw insertion technique using an electromagnetic tracking device prevented radiation exposure and had a shorter operative time than screw insertion using fluoroscopic assistance, according to results presented here.
“The electromagnetic technology provided a safe way to place distal locking screws,” Brandon Burris, MD, said during his presentation at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. “It’s safer with no radiation required. And it’s accurate with the perfect circle technique.”
For their study, Burris and colleagues studied standard, free-hand “perfect circle” insertion of screws in the tibia and femur using either fluoroscopic guidance (41 screws) or an electromagnetic tracking device (60 screws). Because there were a limited number of electromagnetic units, the study could not be randomized, according to the study abstract.
The investigators found an average technician wait time of 77 seconds and perfect circle set-up time of 105 seconds. During this step, fluoroscopy time measured 10 seconds with 9.2 mrads of radiation exposure.
The difference of insertion times between the groups was statistically significant. Mean insertion rate was 342 seconds per screw, with 18 seconds of fluoroscopy time and 32.9 mrads of radiation. The electromagnetic device group took 94 seconds to set up and 234 seconds per screw insertion, with no radiation.
Reference:
- Chan DS, Burris B, Erdogan M, Sagi C, et al. The insertion of intramedullary nail locking screws without fluoroscopy: A faster and safer technique. Paper #52. Presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting. Oct. 13-15. San Antonio.
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