A novel electromagnetic navigation tool for acetabular surgery
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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Remote Magnetic Navigation for Accurate, Real-time Catheter Positioning and Ablation in Cardiac Electrophysiology Procedures
Published on: April 21, 2013
Wolfgang Lehmann1, Johannes M Rueger1, Jakob Nuechtern1
1Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Background:
Acetabular fracture surgery is demanding and screw placement along narrow bony corridors remains challenging. It necessitates x-ray radiation for fluoroscopically assisted screw insertion. The purpose of this cadaver study was to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy and operation time of a novel electromagnetic navigation system for screw insertion along predefined acetabular corridors.
Methods:
A controlled laboratory study with a total of 24 electromagnetically navigated screw insertions was performed on 8 cadaveric acetabula. 3 peri-acetabular bony corridors (QSS, Quadrilateral Surface Screw; IAS, Infra-Acetabular Screw; PCS, Posterior Column Screw) were defined and screws were placed in a defined order without fluoroscopy. Operation time was documented. Postoperative CT scans were performed to analyse accuracy of screw placement.
Results:
Mean cadaver age was 70.4 ± 11.7. Successful screw placement was accomplished in 22 out of 24 (91.7%) cases. The overall mean time for all 3 acetabular screws was 576.6 ± 75.9s. All 3 complications occurred during the placement of the IAS due to an impassable narrow bony corridor. QSS mean length was 50 ± 5mm, IAS mean length was 85 ± 10mm and PCS mean length was 120 ± 5mm.
Conclusion:
In this cadaver study the novel electromagnetic navigation system was feasible to allow accurate screw placement without fluoroscopy in defined narrow peri-acetabular bony corridors.
