Empirical study of transpedicular screw placement assisted by digital navigation templates in the thoracic spins

陳玉兵(Chen Yubing，Dept Orthop Kunming Gene Hosp Chengdu Mil Command Clin Hosp Kunming Med Col Kunming，Yunnan 650032)…∥Chin J Clin Basic Orthop Res.－2010，2(2).－125～129

Empirical study of transpedicular screw placement assisted by digital navigation templates in the thoracic spins

陳玉兵(Chen Yubing，Dept Orthop Kunming Gene Hosp Chengdu Mil Command Clin Hosp Kunming Med Col Kunming，Yunnan 650032)…∥Chin J Clin Basic Orthop Res.－2010，2(2).－125～129

ObjectiveTo investigate the accuracy and feasibility of transpedicular screw placement assisted by the navigation templates in cadaveric thoracic spines.MethodsTwenty thoracic cadavers specimens were randomly divided into two groups(n=10)，group 1 for navigation template and 2 for bare-handed.All screws were implanted by the same orthopedic surgeon with transpedicular screw placement experiences in lumbar spines but lacked experiences in thoracic spine placement.Two hundred and forty thoracic screws were inserted respectively by navigation template or bare-handed method.CT scans were performed to evaluate screw exit rates and orientation relative to the pedicle axis.The relative position of the screw to the pedicle was graded.ResultsIn the group I accuracy rate of screw placement is higher compared with group 2，while the incidence of the risk of the screw misplace is lower than that of bare-handed method with statistical significance(P ＜ 0.05).The learning curve of bare-handed method was significant longer but not for navigation template method.ConclusionTranspedicular screw placement assisted by digital navigation templates in thoracic spines may be used as a novel method for its advantage of safety，feasibility，simple operative procedure and screw placement accuracy.15 refs，4 figs.

(Authors)