Several preoperative planning tools in computer-assisted surgery in acetabular fractures have been proposed. Moreover, all these preoperative planning tools are based on geometrical repositioning with their own limitations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of our prototype virtual planning tool using a rigid biomechanical model to predict failure in fracture reduction.

Between November of 2015 and June of 2016, 10 patients were operated by the main author for acetabular fracture in our institution. To validate our biomechanical model planning tool, biomechanical simulation was performed for each patient immediately after the surgery. Reduction quality was assessed on post-operative CT scans. A 3D model of the acetabular fracture was build out of the CT images using the non-commercial software Itksnap. Then a biomechanical model implemented within the non-commercial Artisynth framework was used to perform virtual reduction. Surgical approach and surgical strategy according to the operative report were simulated. The simulated reductions and the surgical reductions were compared.

The same reductions were obtained during surgery and biomechanical simulation in the 10 cases. For 7 cases, reduction was achieved by anterior surgical approach and so was the simulation. For 3 cases, reduction was achieved by posterior surgical approach and so was the simulation. The biomechanical simulation found similar results using the same surgical strategy with 9 anatomical reductions (90%) and one imperfect reduction (10%). The mean duration to perform acetabular planning surgery was 24 +/− 9 min [16–38].

Our virtual planning tool using a rigid biomechanical model can predict success or failure in fracture reduction according to the surgical approach and the surgical strategy.

Introduction

We report a single-centre, prospective, randomised study for pedicle screw insertion, by using a Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) technique with three dimension (3D) intra-operative images intensifier versus conventional surgical procedure.

In recent years internal fixation of the spine by using posterior approach with minimally invasive and percutaneous technique were increasingly used in trauma. The percutaneous surgery lose information and navigation is supposed to provide better data because the lost information is found again. We hypothesise that a percutaneous minimal invasive dorsal procedure by using 3D intra-operative imaging for vertebral fractures allows short operating times with correct screw positioning and does not increase radiation exposure.

59 patients were included in this prospective, monocentric and randomised study. 29 patients (108 implants) were operated on by using conventional surgical procedure (CP) and 30 patients (72 implants) were operated on by using a 3D fluoroscopy-based navigation system (3D fluo). In the two groups, a percutaneous approach was performed for transpedicular vertebroplasty or percutaneous pedicle screws insertion. In the two groups surgery was done from T4 level to L5 levels. Patients (54 years old on average) suffered trauma fractures, fragility fractures or degenerative instabilities. Evaluation of screw placement was done by using post-operative CT with two independent radiologists that used Youkilis criteria. Operative and radiation running time were also evaluated.

With percutaneous surgery, the 3D fluo technique was less accurate with 13.88% of misplaced pedicle screws (10/72) compared with 11.11% (12/108) observed with CP. The radiation running time for each vertebra level (two screws) reached on average 0.56 mSv with 3D fluo group compared to 1.57 mSv with the CP group. The time required for instrumentation (one vertebra, two screws) with 3D fluo was 19.75 minutes compared with CP group 9.19 minutes. The results were statistically significant in terms of radiation dose and operative running time (p < 0.05), but not in terms of accuracy (p= 0.24).

With percutaneous procedures, 3D fluoroscopy-based navigation (3D fluo) system has no superiority in terms of operative running time and to a lesser degree in terms of accuracy, as compared to 2D conventional procedure (CP), but the benefit in terms of radiation dose is important. Other advantages of the 3D fluo system are twofold: up-to-date image data of patient anatomy and immediate availability to assess the anatomical position of the implanted screws.