First experiences with the use of intraoperative 3D-RX for wrist surgery

The Value of Intraoperative 3-Dimensional Fluoroscopy in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

This study attempted to determine the clinical effectiveness of the intraoperative use of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy compared with conventional 2-dimensional fluoroscopy in patients with distal radius fractures.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter randomized clinical trial in which 206 patients were randomized between the use of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy or not during operative treatment of the distal radius fracture. The primary outcome was the quality of fracture reduction and fixation assessed on a postoperative computed tomography scan with a dichotomous outcome: indication for revision, yes or no.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in whether the fracture required revision surgery: 31% (2-dimensional group) versus 24% (3-dimensional group). In 11% of distal radius fractures allocated to the 3-dimensional group, additional intraoperative corrections (screw replacements) were performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with 2-dimensional fluoroscopy, the use of intraoperative 3-dimensional fluoroscopy does not appear to improve the quality of reduction and fixation in the management of patients with a distal radius fracture. However, the use of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy appears to have advantages such as more intraoperative revisions and less revision surgeries that this study could not clearly demonstrate.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Diagnostic II.

Intraoperative three-dimensional imaging in the treatment of distal radius fractures

INTRODUCTION

In operative treatment of distal radius fractures satisfying outcome mainly relies on anatomical fracture reduction and correct implant placement. Examination with two-dimensional fluoroscopy may not provide reliable information about this. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of additional intraoperative three-dimensional imaging in the operative treatment of comminuted distal radius fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From August 2001 to June 2015, patients with a distal radius fracture who were treated operatively and received intraoperative three-dimensional scan were included. The findings of the three-dimensional scan were documented by the operative surgeon and analyzed retrospectively with regard to incidence and the need for intraoperative revisions. Clinical evaluation included the patient's medical history, the injury pattern of the affected wrist (according to the OTA/AO fracture classification) and concomitant injuries. Intraoperative and postoperative complications and revision surgeries were evaluated as well.

RESULTS

Of 4515 operatively treated distal radius fractures, 307 (6.8%) received additional intraoperative three-dimensional imaging during surgery. 263 of 307 patients (85.7%) had a distal radius fracture type C. Intraoperative three-dimensional imaging revealed findings in 125 patients (40.7%) that were not detected on conventional two-dimensional fluoroscopy. In 54 patients (17.6%) these findings led to an immediate revision. Most commonly, revision was done in the case of remaining steps in the articular surface ≥ 1 mm (n = 25, 8.1%) followed by intra-articular screw placement (n = 23, 7.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative three-dimensional imaging can provide additional information compared to conventional two-dimensional fluoroscopy in the operative treatment of distal radius fractures with the possibility of immediate intraoperative revision.

Intraoperative 3D imaging in the treatment of elbow fractures--a retrospective analysis of indications, intraoperative revision rates, and implications in 36 cases

Background

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging with a mobile C-arm has proven to be a valuable intraoperative tool in trauma surgery. However, little data is available concerning its use in the treatment of elbow fractures. The aim of the current study was to determine the intraoperative findings and consequences of 3D imaging in the treatment of elbow fractures.

Methods

Between 2001 and 2015, prospectively collected data of 36 patients who underwent intraoperative 3D imaging during elbow surgery were recorded. The findings and consequences of the intraoperative 3D scans were analyzed in a retrospective chart review. For clinical evaluation the analysis included the patients’ medical history, the injury pattern of the affected elbow and concomitant injuries. Intraoperative and postoperative complications and revision surgeries were evaluated as well.

Results

In 6 patients (16.7 %) analysis of the intraoperative 3D scan led to an immediate revision due to the detection of intra-articular screw placement (n = 3, 8.3 %) and remaining intra-articular step of >2 mm (n = 3, 8.3 %). In all of these patients, correct implant positioning and anatomical reduction could be achieved after immediate intraoperative revision, which was verified by a repeated intraoperative 3D scan. None of the 36 patients needed surgical revision based on postoperative radiological examinations due to secondary dislocation, wrong implant placement or remaining steps in the articular surface.

Conclusions

Intraoperative 3D imaging offers additional information about fracture reduction and implant positioning in the treatment of elbow fractures compared to conventional intraoperative 2D imaging. It may therefore reduce the need for revision surgery. The value of intraoperative 3D imaging for clinical outcomes still needs to be assessed.

Tangential View and Intraoperative Three-Dimensional Fluoroscopy for the Detection of Screw-Misplacements in Volar Plating of Distal Radius Fractures

Background:

Volar locking plate fixation has become the gold standard in the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures. Juxta-articular screws should be placed as close as possible to the subchondral zone, in an optimized length to buttress the articular surface and address the contralateral cortical bone. On the other hand, intra-articular screw misplacements will promote osteoarthritis, while the penetration of the contralateral bone surface may result in tendon irritations and ruptures. The intraoperative control of fracture reduction and implant positioning is limited in the common postero-anterior and true lateral two-dimensional (2D)-fluoroscopic views. Therefore, additional 2D-fluoroscopic views in different projections and intraoperative three-dimensional (3D) fluoroscopy were recently reported. Nevertheless, their utility has issued controversies.

Objectives:

The following questions should be answered in this study; 1) Are the additional tangential view and the intraoperative 3D fluoroscopy useful in the clinical routine to detect persistent fracture dislocations and screw misplacements, to prevent revision surgery? 2) Which is the most dangerous plate hole for screw misplacement?

Patients and Methods:

A total of 48 patients (36 females and 13 males) with 49 unstable distal radius fractures (22 x 23 A; 2 x 23 B, and 25 x 23 C) were treated with a 2.4 mm variable angle LCP Two-Column volar distal radius plate (Synthes GmbH, Oberdorf, Switzerland) during a 10-month period. After final fixation, according to the manufactures' technique guide and control of implant placement in the two common perpendicular 2D-fluoroscopic images (postero-anterior and true lateral), an additional tangential view and intraoperative 3D fluoroscopic scan were performed to control the anatomic fracture reduction and screw placements. Intraoperative revision rates due to screw misplacements (intra-articular or overlength) were evaluated. Additionally, the number of surgeons, time and radiation-exposure, for each step of the operating procedure, were recorded.

Results:

In the standard 2D-fluoroscopic views (postero-anterior and true lateral projection), 22 screw misplacements of 232 inserted screws were not detected. Based on the additional tangential view, 12 screws were exchanged, followed by further 10 screws after performing the 3D fluoroscopic scan. The most lateral screw position had the highest risk for screw misplacement (accounting for 45.5% of all exchanged screws). The mean number of images for the tangential view was 3 ± 2.5 images. The mean surgical time was extended by 10.02 ± 3.82 minutes for the 3D fluoroscopic scan. An additional radiation exposure of 4.4 ± 4.5seconds, with a dose area product of 39.2 ± 14.5 cGy/cm² were necessary for the tangential view and 54.4 ± 20.9 seconds with a dose area product of 2.1 ± 2.2 cGy/cm², for the 3D fluoroscopic scan.

Conclusions:

We recommend the additional 2D-fluoroscopic tangential view for detection of screw misplacements caused by overlength, with penetration on the dorsal cortical surface of the distal radius, predominantly observed for the most lateral screw position. The use of intraoperative 3D fluoroscopy did not become accepted in our clinical routine, due to the technical demanding and time consuming procedure, with a limited image quality so far.