Robot-assisted percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a retrospective matched-cohort study

Purpose This study aims to introduce the principle, clinical efficacy, and learning curve of robot-assisted percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Methods Forty-two patients who underwent robot-assisted single-level PVP were analyzed retrospectively and 42 age-matched patients using freehand technique were selected as the control group. The visual analog scale, operation time, radiation exposure, accuracy, and learning curve were analyzed. Results The puncture time and total operation time were significantly shorter, and the puncture and total fluoroscopy number were fewer in the robot group. The deviation between pre-operative planned and actual puncture trajectory well met clinical requirement. The puncture time, total operation time, and puncture fluoroscopy number were significantly more in early cases than in later cases in the robot group. Conclusion The robot-assisted pedicle puncture technique shortens the operation time and reduces radiation exposure, and the accuracy meets the clinical requirement in PVP. The learning curve is short and not steep.