Robot-assisted, fluoroscopy-guided pedicle screw insertion methods offer similar accuracy

Using a robot-assisted technique is more accurate for inserting pedicle screws than the traditional fluoroscopy-guided pedicle screw insertion technique, but not statistically significantly so, according to researchers.

As part of a retrospective study, the researchers analyzed the charts of 95 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery with posterior instrumentation for degenerative disease. Patients were split into two groups; group one comprised 55 patients and 244 pedicle screws inserted through the robot-assisted method, and group two comprised 40 patients and 163 pedicle screws inserted through the traditional fluoroscopy-guided method.

Accuracy of screw placement was graded using the Gertzbein-Robbins scale of A to E. Grades of A and B were considered clinically acceptable.

In group one, 83% of screws were graded as A and 7.8% of screws were graded as B. For group two, 79.8% of screws were graded as A and 7.4% screws were graded as B. The difference between the “clinically acceptable” screw placements in both groups was not statistically significant, according to the researchers (P = .19).

Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.

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Source:

Schatlo B. J Neurosurg Spine. 2014. doi:10.3171/2014.3.SPINE13714.