Systematic user-based assessment of "Navigated Control Spine" / Systematische, nutzerzentrierte Evaluation von...

The aim of this study was the systematic preclinical assessment of a new mill for spinal surgery. This mill automatically switches off at predefined workspace margins. The system is called the "Navigated Control Spine". The workspace is planned intraoperatively with fluoroscopic images. Assessment was performed in a simulated surgical scenario with real surgical instruments and equipment, and the following criteria were measured: "milling accuracy" and "surgical workflow parameters". To simulate the patient, an anatomical spine model was created with a Rapid Prototyping machine. The models included electronic components that simulate injuries to the structures at risk. For the workflow parameters, the results show differences between experienced and inexperienced surgeons. The maximum accuracy for experienced surgeons was +0.31 mm and for inexperienced surgeons +0.57 mm. The dura, as one of the structures at risk, was never injured.