Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2025

A Teleoperated Robotic System-Assisted Percutaneous Transiliac-Transsacral Screw Fixation Technique
Published on: January 6, 2023
[Navigated or conventional acetabular surgery : Comparison of positional accuracy exemplified by the infra-acetabular
Stefano Pagano1, Karolina Müller2, Volker Alt2
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland. stefano.pagano@ukr.de.
Background:
The principle of joint-preserving treatment of acetabular fractures is the anatomic reduction of joint-bearing elements and internal osteosynthesis. For stabilization of the anterior and posterior columns against each other, the infra-acetabular screw (IAS) is regularly used in the clinical routine.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to compare the position of the IAS in the infra-acetabular corridor after navigated placement and after freehand placement.
Material And Method:
The position of the screw was evaluated in 42 patients using multiplanar reconstructions. The screw was placed freehand in 30 patients and using image-guided navigation in 12 patients. In addition to measurement of the position of the screw, demographic data, operating time, radiation exposure and blood loss were recorded.
Results:
The vast majority of the patients were male (86%), the median age was 67 years and the median body mass index (BMI) was 25 kg/m2. The median operating time was 166 min and the median blood loss was 900 ml. The adjusted values in the whole sample considering the position of the screw were: distance of screw to cartilage mean value (m) = 3.8 mm, distance of screw to corridor center m = 3.5 mm and angle of screw to corridor m = 1.4°. There were no differences between the groups in the demographic parameters and the accuracy of positioning of the screw (p-value > 0.05). There was a longer irradiation time and a higher radiation dose in the navigated group compared to the group without navigation (p-value < 0.001).
Conclusion:
With appropriate experience both procedures are comparable taking into account the accuracy. Taking into consideration other perioperative parameters, such as radiation exposure and planned operating time, patient-related factors should be taken into consideration.

