Effectiveness of 5G-based robot-assisted remote thoracolumbar internal fixation surgery
10.3760/cma.j.cn121113-20230704-00355
- VernacularTitle:基于5G技术的机器人辅助远程胸腰椎内固定手术的应用效果
- Author:
Da HE
1
;
Qi ZHANG
;
Jingwei ZHAO
;
Mingxing FAN
;
Bo LIU
;
Xieyuan JIANG
Author Information
1. 首都医科大学附属北京积水潭医院（国家骨科医学中心）脊柱外科，北京 100035
- Keywords:
Thoracic vertebrae;
Lumbar vertebrae;
Robotic surgical procedures;
Pedicle screws;
Telesurgery;
5th generation mobile communication technology
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics
2024;44(15):995-1001
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To assess the effectiveness and viability of 5G-enabled robot-assisted thoracolumbar internal fixation surgery, scrutinizing its benefits and potential limitations in a clinical setting.Methods:This retrospective case series study analyzed 61 patients who underwent robot-assisted remote thoracolumbar internal fixation surgery between April and December 2021. The orthopaedic robotic telesurgery system, centered at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital and utilizing 5G technology for network transmission, was used to assist in screw placement. The surgeries, distributed across ten hospitals and executed over an average distance of 1 617 km (maximum exceeding 3 000 km), were appraised by examining the accuracy of screw placement, intraoperative communication efficacy, complication rates, among other metrics, and benchmarked against traditional local procedures.Results:Telesurgery was completed successfully in all patients, averaging 92±32 minutes per operation. Out of 354 screws placed, 89.8% were positioned perfectly and 97.5% were deemed clinically acceptable. The 61 patients, followed-up for an average of 18.9±1.9 months, exhibited significant postoperative improvement in pain. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score was 5.74±1.30 and improved to 2.30±0.90 at discharge, a statistically significant difference ( t=11.002, P<0.001). 6 patients with thoracolumbar degenerative spine disease showed significant relief of claudication and pain symptoms postoperatively. 55 patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures had a preoperative height ratio of 62.78%±12.60% at the anterior margin of the injured vertebrae, which recovered to 85.36%±8.35% postoperatively, a statistically significant difference ( t=16.977, P<0.001). All fractures were healed at final follow-up. No perioperative complications, such as vascular or nerve injuries or infections, occurred. Additionally, there were no complications related to the use of the robot. The 5G network ensured stable transmission of robotic control signals, images, and audio signals during the procedure, with no signal delays or communication failures observed. The perfect rate (90.2% vs. 93.8%, χ 2=0.169, P=0.681) and clinical acceptability rate (99.0% vs. 100.0%, P=1.000) of remote versus local robotic-assisted screw placement in participating hospital 1 (Shantou Xin Sheng Orthopaedic Hospital) were similar. The perfect rate (87.0% vs. 85.4%, χ 2=0.075, P=0.784) and clinical acceptability rate (100.0% vs. 96.6%, χ 2=0.580, P=0.446) of remote versus local robotic-assisted screw placement in participating hospital 2 (Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital) were similar. Conclusion:5G technology enhances the remote application of robotic thoracolumbar surgery without compromising patient safety or outcome quality. It underscores the potential for broader adoption of surgical robotics, aiding in the standardization of medical practices across China, boosting healthcare efficiency, and aligning with the Healthy China strategy.
