Comparison of the O-arm-based navigation system with conventional fluoroscopy for percutaneous screw fixation in patients with fragility fractures of the pelvis.

Purpose: Fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFPs) are increasingly common owing to aging populations of several countries and the increasing osteoporosis incidence. Surgical interventions, including percutaneous screw fixation, are performed to avoid complications associated with prolonged bed rest for FFP management. However, conventional fluoroscopy for surgical navigation is difficult owing to issues such as insufficient tissue imaging, difficulty achieving accurate screw placement, and high radiation exposure to surgeons. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the O-arm-based navigation system with that of conventional fluoroscopy for percutaneous screw fixation in patients with FFPs, focusing on surgical outcomes, radiation exposure, and screw-placement accuracy.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study was conducted between April 2020 and May 2024. Seventy-two patients with FFPs were divided into two groups: O-arm (O, n = 14) and the conventional fluoroscopy (C, n = 58) groups. Primary evaluation parameters were radiation exposure and screw-placement accuracy. Demographic and surgical data, including surgery duration and intraoperative blood loss, were collected for secondary evaluation.

Results: There was no significant differences in demographic data between groups. Surgeon radiation exposure was lower in the O group (0.1-0.2 µSv) than in the C group (mean exposure: 109.8 ± 61.3 mGy). The screw-perforation rate was lower in the O group (5.7%) than in the C group (20%). No patients in the O group required reoperation; however, three patients in the C group did.

Conclusion: Compared with conventional fluoroscopy, the O-arm-based navigation system improves screw-placement accuracy and significantly reduces surgeon radiation exposure.