Transfer accuracy and precision scoring in planar bone cutting validated with ex vivo data

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Planning

Background:

• Virtual preoperative planning for osteotomies using interactive surgical scenarios has gained traction.
• This technology has demonstrated positive outcomes in tumor resection, knee, and spine surgeries.
• Digital 3D preoperative plans allow quantitative assessment of virtual-to-patient anatomy transfer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce precise definitions for accuracy and precision in the transfer process of planar bone cutting.
• To present a novel method for computing these properties from ex vivo data.
• To propose a clinical score for evaluating the quality of surgical cuts.

Main Methods:

• Development of exact definitions for accuracy and precision in planar bone cutting transfer.
• Implementation of a measurement method using ex vivo data.
• Utilizing computer simulation for characterizing definitions and measurement data.
• Evaluation on 17 ex vivo planar cuts from tumor resection osteotomies.

Main Results:

• The proposed definitions and method show high correlation with the ISO 1101-based accuracy definition.
• The clinical score effectively distinguishes between different surgical transfer techniques.
• The new definitions provide acceptable results in scenarios where ISO-based definitions yield counterintuitive outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The study provides robust definitions and a validated method for assessing accuracy and precision in virtual surgical planning for osteotomies.
• The developed clinical score offers a practical tool for evaluating surgical cut quality.
• This work enhances the quantitative evaluation of virtual-to-real surgical plan transfer, particularly for planar bone resections.