The value of computer-assisted navigation for bone reconstruction after tumor resection

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Malignant bone tumors necessitate complex surgical reconstruction.
• Accurate bone defect assessment and allograft matching are critical for successful outcomes.
• Traditional methods may face challenges in achieving precise osteotomy and joint alignment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of computer-assisted navigation (CAN) with computed tomography (CT) images in bone reconstruction after malignant bone tumor resection.
• To assess the precision, success rates, and complication profiles of CAN in this surgical context.
• To determine the impact of CAN on patient outcomes, including limb function and tumor recurrence.

Main Methods:

• Forty-five patients with malignant bone tumors underwent reconstruction using a CAN system with CT images.
• The CAN system guided osteotomy, allograft pairing, and joint line monitoring.
• Surgical precision, operative times, registration accuracy, and complication rates were recorded.

Main Results:

• All osteotomies and allograft pairings were successful, with average osteotomy duration of 46.8 min and pairing time of 32.5 min.
• High precision was achieved, with average registration error of 0.36 mm and allograft matching error of 0.11 mm.
• No limb length discrepancies or joint deformities occurred; survival rate was 95.6%, with a tumor recurrence rate of 11.1%.

Conclusions:

• Computer-assisted navigation with CT imaging is a highly precise and safe technique for bone reconstruction in malignant bone tumor treatment.
• This approach leads to excellent limb function, low complication rates, and successful allograft integration.
• CAN offers significant benefits for bone cancer patients requiring complex reconstructive surgery.