Computed tomography-based navigation system-assisted surgery for primary spine tumor.

Primary tumors of the spine are uncommon compared to metastases. The objective of the study was to examine the utility of O-arm navigation-assisted surgery for a primary spine tumor. A prospective study was performed in 18 consecutive patients who underwent O-arm navigation-assisted surgery for a primary spine tumor at our hospital between 2014 and 2017. Data were collected for patient demographics, tumor details, surgery performed, and postoperative complications. The proportion of patients with a primary spine tumor; complications in the navigation procedure and equipment; complications in resection; local recurrence; radiological evidence of mechanical failure in cases where implants were used for reconstruction; and mortality were evaluated as outcomes. The cases included osteoblastoma (n = 4), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (n = 3), aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC), chondrosarcoma, osteoid osteoma (n = 2 each), and giant cell tumor (GCT), pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), hemangioma, sarcoidosis, and plasmacytoma (n = 1 each). There were no intraoperative complications related to the navigation procedure or equipment, and this procedure was not abandoned after it had been started in any case. There were 12 posterior, 3 anterior, and 3 posterior and anterior approaches, and 7 instrumented surgeries. There was no evidence of screw misplacement and mechanical implant failure, and no local recurrence in any patients. O-arm navigation-assisted surgery improves safety and oncological results in patients with primary spine tumors. The beneficial effects of navigation for resection of tumors include more accurate placement of screws with fewer complications.