5G Remote Robotic-Assisted Percutaneous Kyphoplasty Is Safe and Effective for Thoracolumbar Vertebral Compression Fractures.

OBJECTIVE

5G remote robotic-assisted (RRA) technology has been applied in percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for the treatment of patients with thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures. Although some cases of RRA have already been reported, the safety and effectiveness of this technology remain controversial. Meanwhile, the radiographic and clinical parameters of the RRA and conventional robotic-assisted (CRA) methods have not been compared for patients with thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures.

METHODS

This study aimed to compare the radiographic and clinical parameters of RRA versus the CRA technology for PKP in thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures. A total of 95 patients with thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures who received PKP using RRA (43 patients) and CRA (52 patients) techniques were retrospectively included. The radiographic parameters included vertebral height and local Cobb's angle. Meanwhile, the clinical parameters included bone cement leakage rate, pain indicators, surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications.

RESULTS

In radiographic parameters, the preoperative and postoperative vertebral heights, including anterior vertebral height, middle vertebral height, and posterior vertebral height of both groups, showed similar statistical results, with no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05).In addition, the preoperative and postoperative vertebral compression ratio including anterior vertebral compression ratio, middle vertebral compression ratio, and posterior vertebral compression ratio of both groups, showed similar statistical results, with no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Besides, the parameters of 2 groups' preoperative and postoperative local Cobb's angles were almost the same (P > 0.05). Furthermore, in terms of clinical parameters, the RRA technique showed a lower rate of bone cement leakage than the CRA method, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.809). The preoperative and postoperative pain scores calculated by visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index of both groups show approximate results. And the differences are not statistically significant. In addition, both the RRA and CRA groups showed similar statistical results in terms of surgical time, intraoperative blood loss and complications, with no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

RRA PKP for treating thoracolumbar compression fractures can effectively relieve patient pain, restore vertebral height, and improve local kyphosis while ensuring safety. The 5G RRA PKP is accurate and safe in clinical application.