A Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing Robot-Assisted and Conventional Fluoroscopy-Guided Pedicle Screw Placement

Background/Objectives: Pedicle screw placement is crucial for restoring stability. Emerging robot-assisted technologies may offer enhanced precision and reduced radiation exposure. This study aimed to compare the accuracy and clinical outcomes of robot-assisted versus conventional fluoroscopy-guided pedicle screw placements. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 218 patients undergoing pedicle screw placement at a single spine center between 2019 and 2023. Of these, 105 patients underwent robot-assisted surgery using the Mazor X™ Stealth Edition (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA), and 113 underwent conventional fluoroscopy-guided surgery. The primary outcome was screw placement accuracy (Grade 0 = optimal, Grades 1-3 = suboptimal, according to the Gertzbein-Robbins classification). Secondary outcomes included estimated blood loss (EBL), radiation exposure, length of hospital stay (LOS), clinical outcome according to the Macnab classification, postoperative pain, and adverse events. Results: Robot-assisted surgery demonstrated significantly higher accuracy in screw placement, with 93.33% achieving Grade 0 accuracy versus 78.76% in the conventional group (p = 0.002). This corresponded to an odds ratio (OR) of 3.78 (95% CI: 1.55-9.19, p = 0.003). The number needed to treat (NNT) to achieve one additional optimal screw placement was 6.9. Robot-assisted surgery demonstrated significantly higher accuracy in screw placement. Moreover, robot-assisted procedures were associated with reduced estimated blood loss (EBL), shorter length of stay (LOS), and lower radiation exposure times; patient-reported outcomes (VAS and Macnab) were also improved (OR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.89-5.91). Duration of surgery, adverse events, and revision rates were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions: This study supports the clinical benefits of robot-assisted pedicle screw placement, particularly in achieving higher accuracy and reducing EBL and LOS. Future research should explore long-term outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and the generalizability of these results to a broader patient population.