[The safety of TiRobot-guided percutaneous transpedicular screw implantation]

The LANCET robotic system can improve surgical efficiency in total hip arthroplasty: A prospective randomized, multicenter, parallel-controlled clinical trial

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy and safety of the LANCET robotic system, a robot arm assisted operation system for total hip arthroplasty via a multicenter clinical randomized controlled trial.

Methods

A total of 116 patients were randomized into two groups: LANCET robotic arm assisted THA group (N = 58) and the conventional THA group (N = 58). General information about the patients was collected preoperatively. Operational time and bleeding were recorded during the surgery. The position of the acetabular prosthesis was evaluated by radiographs one week after surgery and compared with preoperative planning. Harris score, hip mobility, prosthesis position and angle and complications were compared between the two groups at three months postoperatively.

Results

None of the 111 patients who ultimately completed the 3-month follow-up experienced adverse events such as hip dislocation and infection during follow-up. In the RAA group, 52 (92.9 %) patients were located in the Lewinnek safe zone and 49 (87.5 %) patients were located in the Callanan safe zone. In the control group were 47 (85.5 %) and 44 (80.0 %) patients, respectively. In the RAA group, 53 (94.6 %) patients had a postoperative acetabular inclination angle and 51 (91.1 %) patients had an acetabular version angle within a deviation of 5° from the preoperative plan. These numbers were significantly higher than those of the control group, which consisted of 42 (76.4 %) and 34 (61.8 %) patients respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups of subjects in terms of general condition, intraoperative bleeding, hip mobility, and adverse complications.

Conclusion

The results of this prospective randomized, multicenter, parallel-controlled clinical study demonstrated that the LANCET robotic system leads conventional THA surgery in accuracy of acetabular cup placement and does not differ from conventional THA surgery in terms of postoperative hip functional recovery and complications.

The translational potential of this article

In the past, the success rate of total hip arthroplasty (THA) relied heavily on the surgeon's experience. As a result, junior doctors needed extensive training to become proficient in this technique. However, the introduction of surgical robots has significantly improved this situation. By utilizing robotic assistance, both junior and senior doctors can perform THA quickly and efficiently. This advancement is crucial for the widespread adoption of THA, as patients can now receive surgical treatment in local facilities instead of overwhelming larger hospitals and straining medical resources. Moreover, the development of surgical robots with fully independent intellectual property rights holds immense value in overcoming the limitations of high-end medical equipment. This aligns with the objectives outlined in the 14th Five Year Plan for National Science and Technology Strategy.

Comparison of the efficacies of TINAVI robot-assisted surgery and conventional open surgery for Levine-Edward type IIA (postreduction) hangman fractures

The objective was to compare the clinical efficacy of percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation with the aid of the TINAVI orthopaedic surgery robot with that of traditional open surgery for Levine-Edward type IIA (postreduction) hangman fractures and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the TINAVI robot-assisted orthopaedic surgery procedure. The clinical data of 60 patients with Levine-Edward type IIA (postreduction) hangman fractures treated surgically from June 2015 to February 2022 were analysed retrospectively. Among these patients, 25 were treated with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation under TINAVI (the robot group), and 35 were treated with pedicle screw implantation assisted by a conventional C-arm X-ray machine (the traditional operation group). The pedicle screw placement grade was evaluated according to the Rampersaud scale. The correct rate of pedicle screw placement was calculated. The invasion of adjacent facet joints, VAS score (Visual Analogue Scale), NDI score (Neck Disability Index), SF-36 score (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire), EQ-5D score (EuroQol-5 dimensions questionnaire) and operation-related data were recorded, and patients were followed up. All patients were followed up for an average of 15.0 ± 3.4 months. The accuracy of screw placement in the robot group was higher than that in the traditional operation group, while the rates of intraoperative blood loss and invasion of the facet joint were lower and the incision length and length of hospital stay were shorter. On the 3rd day after the operation, the VAS score in the robot group was significantly higher than that in the traditional operation group, but there was no significant difference in the NDI score. On the 3rd day after the operation, the SF-36 and EQ-5 questionnaire scores of the robot group were better than those of the traditional operation group. No complications occurred in any of the patients. Postoperative cervical X-ray showed that the cervical vertebra was stable, and there was no fracture, angle or displacement. Postoperative CT showed that all fractures healed, and the average healing time was 3.4 months. The treatment of Levine-Edward IIA (postrepositioning) hangman fractures with percutaneous pedicle fixation assisted by the TINAVI orthopaedic surgery robot can significantly improve screw placement accuracy with a low rate of invasion of the adjacent facet joint, a short operation time, a low bleeding rate, and high patient satisfaction. Although there are still many disadvantages, it still has good prospects for application.

[Preliminary application study of dual-robotic navigated minimally invasive treatment by TiRobot and Artis Zeego on pelvic fractures]

Objective

To summarize the surgical learning curve and preliminary operative experience of dual-robotic navigated minimally invasive treatment on pelvic fractures by TiRobot and Artis Zeego.

Methods

Between July 2019 and February 2021, 90 patients with pelvic fractures were treated with dual-robotic navigated minimally invasive surgery by TiRobot and Artis Zeego. There were 64 males and 26 females, with an average age of 46.5 years (range, 13-78 years). Body mass index was 14.67-32.66 kg/m ² (mean, 23.61 kg/m ²). Causes of injuries included traffic accident in 43 cases, falling from height in 37 cases, low-energy injuries such as flat falls in 10 cases. The interval between injury and surgery was 1-36 days (mean, 7.3 days). According to the location of the implanted screws, the patients were divided into sacroiliac screw group ( n=33), acetabular screw group (acetabulum anterior/posterior column, n=24), composite screws group (sacroiliac and acetabulum anterior/posterior column, n=33). According to the screw implantation time and accuracy, the surgical learning curve was plotted, and the differences in the relevant indicators between learning stage and skilled stage were compared.

Results

All 90 patients successfully completed the operation, the intraoperative bleeding volume was 5-200 mL (median, 20 mL). There was no vascular or nerve injury. All incisions healed by first intention. The screw implantation time ranged from 7.5 to 33.0 minutes (mean, 18.92 minutes), and the screw implantation accuracy ranged from 1.1 to 1.8 mm (mean, 1.56 mm). According to the learning curve, the practice stage of 3 groups was reached after 7, 10, and 11 cases, respectively. With the accumulation of surgical experience, the screw implantation time had a significant downward trend. Compared with the learning stage, the screw implantation time on skilled stage in 3 groups significantly shortened ( P<0.05), but the difference in the screw implantation accuracy was not significant ( P>0.05).

Conclusion

TiRobot and Artis Zeego assisted pelvic fracture surgery is safe and efficient, which helps the surgeon to quickly master the pelvic channel screw surgery, and the operation time is significantly shortened on the premise of ensuring the implantation accuracy.

[TiRobot-assisted surgery by O-arm navigation system for percutaneous minimally invasive treatment of posterior pelvic ring injury]

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of TiRobot-assisted surgery by O-arm navigation system for percutaneous minimally invasive treatment of posterior pelvic ring injury.

Methods

The clinical data of 76 patients with posterior pelvic ring injury between January 2016 and June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 45 cases were treated with minimally invasive percutaneous sacroiliac screw fixation assisted by TiRobot and O-arm navigation system (study group), 31 cases were treated with minimally invasive percutaneous sacroiliac screw fixation under the guidance of C-arm X-ray machine (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, Tile classification, time from injury to operation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the times of nail track adjustment, and intraoperative fluoroscopy times were recorded. The quality of fracture reduction was evaluated by Matta score. At last follow-up, Majeed score was used to evaluate the recovery of pelvic function.

Results

A total of 72 screws were implanted in the study group, with a median of 1 (1, 2) screws per patient. In the control group, 47 screws were implanted, with a median of 1 (1, 2) screws per patient. There was no significant difference in the number of screws between the two groups ( Z=-0.392, P=0.695). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, times of nail track adjustment, and intraoperative fluoroscopy times in the study group were significantly less than those in the control group ( P<0.05). All patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 14 months). No serious complications was found after operation and during follow-up. Matta score was used to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction at 1 week after operation, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( Z=-1.135, P=0.256). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference of Majeed score between the two groups ( Z=-1.279, P=0.201).

Conclusion

TiRobot-assisted surgery by O-arm navigation system is a reliable surgical method for the treatment of posterior pelvic ring injury, which can reduce the operation time and fluoroscopy times when compared with the traditional operation under the guidance of C-arm X-ray machine. The safety, accuracy, and efficiency of the operation were improved.