Robot-assisted percutaneous vertebroplasty under local anesthesia for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a retrospective, clinical, nonrandomized, controlled study.

Research and design A retrospective, clinical, nonrandomized, controlled study. Objective To evaluate the application of a new spinal navigation robot on percutaneous vertebroplasty under local anesthesia. Methods The result of inserting the puncture needle into the simulated pedicle was observed in vitro. 30 patients with thoracolumbar fractures were enrolled. The basic data, operation-related data, and clinical effect scores were recorded. The learning curve of robot-guided surgery was analyzed. Results The maximum yaw angle of the puncture needle implanting into the simulated pedicle is 0.5 °. The operation time (33.93 ± 5.97 min vs 53.75 ± 14.08 min, P = 0.000) and the average X-ray exposure time (31.43 ± 4.93 s vs 54.69 ± 2.15 s, P = 0.000) was significantly less in the robot group. The surgeons quickly mastered the technique of robot-guided pedicle puncture after three surgeries. Conclusions Robot-assisted percutaneous vertebroplasty could performed under local anesthesia with the new robot. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.