Three-dimensional navigation is more accurate than two-dimensional navigation or conventional fluoroscopy for percutaneous sacroiliac screw fixation in the dysmorphic sacrum: a randomized multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of computer-assisted sacral screw fixation compared with conventional techniques in the dysmorphic versus normal sacrum. DESIGN: Review of a previous study database. SETTING: Database of a multinational study with 9 participating trauma centers. PATIENTS: The reviewed group included 130 patients, 72 from the navigated group and 58 from the conventional group. Of these, 109 were in the nondysmorphic group and 21 in the dysmorphic group. INTERVENTION: Placement of sacroiliac (SI) screws was performed using standard fluoroscopy for the conventional group and BrainLAB navigation software with either 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional (3D) navigation for the navigated group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Accuracy of SI screw placement by 2-dimensional and 3D navigation versus conventional fluoroscopy in dysmorphic and nondysmorphic patients, as evaluated by 6 observers using postoperative computerized tomography imaging at least 1 year after initial surgery. Intraobserver agreement was also evaluated. RESULTS: There were 11.9% (13/109) of patients with misplaced screws in the nondysmorphic group and 28.6% (6/21) of patients with misplaced screws in the dysmorphic group, none of which were in the 3D navigation group. Raw agreement between the 6 observers regarding misplaced screws was 32%. However, the percent overall agreement was 69.0% (kappa = 0.38, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of 3D navigation to improve intraoperative imaging for accurate insertion of SI screws is magnified in the dysmorphic proximal sacral segment. We recommend the use of 3D navigation, where available, for insertion of SI screws in patients with normal and dysmorphic proximal sacral segments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level I.

Tibiotalocalcaneal fusion using the hindfoot arthrodesis nail: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is a salvage option for severe ankle and hindfoot deformities, arthritis of the ankle and subtalar joints, avascular necrosis of the talus, failed total ankle arthroplasty, and Charcot arthropathy. This multicenter study reports clinical experience with the hindfoot arthrodesis nail (HAN) in the treatment of patients with severe ankle and foot abnormalities. METHODS: Seven participating clinics from Europe and North America recruited 38 patients who underwent ankle/subtalar arthrodesis using retrograde nailing with the HAN. Information was collected regarding technical details, complications, and functional and quality of life outcomes (Short Form-36 [SF-36], American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons-Foot and Ankle Outcomes [AAOS-FAO], and numeric rating scale [NRS] for pain) after an average of 2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: The rate of superficial wound infection was 2.4%. No deep soft tissue or bone infections were reported. The overall union rate was 84%. At the time of follow-up, low pain levels were reported, with a mean NRS of 2.2; the mean AAOS-FAO score was 38; and the SF-36 mean physical and mental health component scores were 41.2 and 52.5, respectively. All 13 patients who were unable to work prior to surgery were able to fully return to work. CONCLUSIONS: The HAN offered a safe and reliable salvage option for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis in patients with severe ankle and hindfoot disease. It achieved acceptable functional outcome and low complication rates despite the challenging patient cohort. A considerable socioeconomic benefit appeared to result based on the high proportion of patients who were able to return to work postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Reliability of computer-assisted surgery as an intraoperative ruler in navigated high tibial osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) can act as an intraoperative ruler in high tibial osteotomy (HTO) to visualize continuously the leg during surgery. QUESTIONS: The aim of the study is to evaluate the accuracy of CAS with respect to preoperative planning and postoperative deviation from the planned leg axis in HTO. In addition, the influence of surgeon experience as well as operation time and perioperative complications are analyzed. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study case series with follow-up at 6 weeks was performed in six centers. Medial open-wedge HTO with Tomofix(®) was done using computer assisted navigation technique with the Brainlab VV Osteotomy 1.0 module. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients with medial gonarthritis were treated with navigated HTO. The follow-up rate was 98%. The majority of HTO-CAS patients fell within the tolerated limit of ±3° for leg axis deviation, however, seven patients were reported with deviations outside of this range: three patients had deviations of >3°-4.5° and four patients >4.5°, respectively. Eight intraoperative complications were documented, partially resulting from technical problems associated with the navigation system. During the 6-week follow-up period, three postoperative complications were experienced, all not associated with navigation technology. CONCLUSIONS: In about 85% of cases, a perfect result in terms of deviation of the planned mechanical leg axis could be achieved. Computer assistance in HTO proved to be a helpful tool regarding intraoperative control of leg axis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, High quality prospective study (all patients were enrolled at the same preoperative planning point with ≥80% follow-up of enrolled patients).