The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the intraoperative revision rate because of 3D imaging and postoperative result of pedicle screw implantations in dorsal instrumentation with and without 3D imaging. The hypotheses were that the use of intraoperative 3D imaging as part of dorsal instrumentation in spine surgery (1) will lead to intraoperative revision of pedicle screws and (2) may reduce the rate of misplaced screws on postoperative imaging.
In our study, a total of 158 (7.0%) of 2215 implanted pedicle screws were not correctly positioned using conventional 2D fluoroscopy-assisted dorsal instrumentation and were revised as a result of intraoperative 3D imaging with cone-beam CT during the primary procedure. On postoperative computed tomography, 56 (11.2%) of 500 implanted pedicle screws in SG with intraoperative 3D imaging were still with relevant pedicle perforation (Gertzbein-Robbins type C-E). Conversely, in CG without intraoperative 3D imaging 116 (23.2%) screws remained with relevant pedicle perforation. Accordingly, intraoperative 3D imaging may reduce the rate of misplaced pedicle screws on postoperative CT imaging.
Assessment of pedicle screw placement in dorsal instrumentation on conventional 2D fluoroscopy imaging is a major challenge even for the experienced surgeon [13]. Berlemann et al. were able to show that 59% of all incorrectly positioned pedicle screws are missed in 2D fluoroscopy imaging compared with computed tomography imaging [14]. Accordingly, computed tomography can be seen as the gold standard in the assessment of pedicle screw location [1, 11, 13, 14] However, if a finding requiring revision only becomes visible on postoperative computed tomography then a revision operation is necessary. This can be circumvented with intraoperative 3D imaging. The availability of intraoperative computed tomography is low, so that 2D methods, from which 3D images can be calculated, are increasingly used intraoperatively to close this gap. This includes cone-beam CT (CBCT). The positive effect of the intraoperative application of CBCT has already been demonstrated in other anatomic regions [15].
Three different methods of implanting pedicle screws are described in the current literature: free-hand technique, with the aid of fluoroscopy or in a navigated technique.
Malposition rates (1.7–31%) in postoperative computed tomography with free-hand technique can be significant [18, 19], whereas the use of conventional 2D fluoroscopy to check screw position intraoperatively may not improve the rate of screws fully contained in the pedicle (28 to 85%) [18]. In contrast, both CT-navigated and fluoroscopy-navigated techniques show better postoperative results. In the review by Gelalis et al., rates of 89 to 100% and 81 to 92%, respectively, of screws fully contained in the pedicle were reported. [18]. Moreover, Takahata et al. implanted a total of 166 CBCT-navigated pedicle screws in a collective of 48 consecutive patients with a rate of 2.4% misplaced pedicle screws [20].These data indicate that intraoperative 3D navigation provides greater accuracy in pedicle screw insertion than the free-hand technique and conventional 2D fluoroscopy.
Advantages of the non-navigated technique with intraoperative 3D imaging generated with CBCT are that it is more readily available and less expensive compared to the navigated technique. In addition, compared to the free-hand technique, preparation of the 3D imaging only extends the operating time by a few minutes. Furthermore, the non-navigated technique with intraoperative 3D imaging does not have such a flat learning curve as the navigated technique, so it can be integrated into the clinical routine more quickly.
Little data is available in the literature concerning the non-navigated technique supported with 3D imaging that we use. Cordemans et al. performed a study to verify pedicle screw position with intraoperative 3D imaging using CBCT. They implanted a total of 695 screws in 118 patients. The rate of pedicle breaching screws on intraoperative CBCT was 11.7% in their collective [21].
In addition, further studies demonstrated that intraoperative 3D imaging with a CBCT is not inferior to established computed tomography. The authors concluded that intraoperative CBCT could replace postoperative computed tomography after dorsal instrumentation in the future [22, 23].
Based on the 3D imaging generated with the CBCT, a sufficient assessment of the pedicle screw position can be made and a not to be underestimated number of perforating screws can be detected intraoperatively, as is evident from our results and the current literature. Accordingly, in our view, intraoperative 3D imaging with a CBCT in the context of dorsal instrumentation is a good alternative to the navigated technique or postoperative computed tomography with regard to the radiologic results of pedicle screw position.
However, the results of this study must be interpreted in the light of several limitations: (1) This is a retrospective evaluation of intraoperatively generated 3D imaging. (2) Only the radiologic results of intraoperative 3D imaging were assessed but not the clinical outcomes, and so it is not clear to what extent a nonoptimal pedicle screw position in the postoperative computed tomography affects the outcome. However, since none of the misplaced screws were revised following postoperative CT imaging, it can be assumed that they were not clinically relevant. (3) In the study, two different CBCTs were used for intraoperative 3D imaging: Cios Spin (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and ARCADIS Orbic 3D (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). The quality of imaging acquired from the Cios Spin was superior to that of the ARCADIS Orbic 3D. Even though the radiologic evaluation of the imaging did not show any influence of the type of CBCT on the result, a certain influence cannot be excluded with absolute certainty. In our view, the ethical duty to provide optimal patient care made it impossible to omit intraoperative 3D imaging for pure study reasons.