Robotic-guidance Allows for Accurate S2AI Placement Without Complications

There are many patients with complex spinal anatomy that require fixation from the spine to the pelvis as part of their fusion surgery. Instrumentation with S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screws is one type of pelvic fixation, and multiple methods are available for the placement of these screws. This study aimed to evaluate complication rates, revision surgery rates, and accuracy grading for 118 robotic-guided S2AI screws. In this study, there were no medical or surgical complications related to the S2AI screws. There were also no revision surgeries performed as a result of the S2AI screws, although 17% underwent elective removal of S2AI screws after fusion was achieved due to hardware-related pain. Finally, all robotic-guided S2AI screws had the highest grade of accuracy (no breach). In summary, the robotic-guided technique for S2AI screw placement is a reliable method to achieving pelvic fixation with low complication and revision rates. In addition, a high degree of accuracy can be achieved without relying on visible and tactile landmarks needed for the freehand technique or the additional radiation associated with fluoroscopic-guidance.

Source: Good CR, Orosz LD, Thomson AE, Schuler TC, Haines CM, Bhatt FR, Boyd D, Grossman KM, Roy R, Jazini E.Robotic-guidance allows for accurate S2AI placement without complications. J Robotic Surg. 2021 Dec 1. doi: 10.1007/s11701-021-01345-x