Radiation dose and fluoroscopy time of conventional versus fluoroscopic computer assisted pedicle screw implantation

Aim: Goal of the current study was to compare radiation dose and fluoroscopy time of fluoroscopic computer assisted pedicle screw implantation versus the conventional technique. Method: For each of 10 specimens two pedicle screws were placed using conventional technique (group 1) and two screws were inserted with fluoroscopic navigation system (group 2) contralateraly. Results: For implantation of two pedicle screws the mean radiation dose was 0.041 mSv in group 1 and 0.029 mSv in group 2. Fluoroscopy time was 34 seconds in group 1 and 25 seconds in group 2. The differences of radiation dose and fluoroscopy time for group 1 and, 2 were statistically significant (radiation dose p = 0.00044, fluoroscopy time p = 0.00039). Conclusion: We achieved significantly lower radiation dose and fluoroscopy time with fluoroscopic computer assisted pedicle screw implantation compared with the conventional technique. Concerning exposure to radiation for patients and personnels fluoroscopic navigated screw insertion is to favour.