A Cadaveric Feasibility Study of an Automatic Multi-Degrees of Freedom Surgical Robot for Percutaneous Scaphoid Guide Pin Insertion.

Background

Percutaneous fixation of scaphoid fractures need accurate guide pin insertion. The emergence of computer-assisted navigation and robotic surgery may provide a promising solution to this problem.

Methods

This study presents the development of an automatic multi-degrees of freedom (DOF) surgical robot with computer-assisted navigation system, focusing on percutaneous scaphoid guide pin insertion. Using this device, along with a 3D fluoroscopy unit, we have conducted an experimental study on 10 cadavers for percutaneous scaphoid guide pin insertion to verify the feasibility and reliability of the system.

Results

The mean operative duration was 29.1 (SD 4.3) minutes. The cadavers required no more than two attempts to achieve desired wire placement, with the mean positioning-error being 2.0 (SD 0.3) mm and the mean angle-deviation 3.6 (SD 0.7)°. Throughout the study, a mean of 2.2 full-cycle fluoroscopy attempts was required for each cadaver during surgery, and no preoperative CT scan was needed.

Conclusions

The outcomes show that using the automatic surgical robot to perform the percutaneous scaphoid guide pin insertion is feasible and desired results can be achieved.