Turkish Neurosurgery 2020 , Vol 30 , Num 6
Augmented Reality Supported Cervical Transpedicular Fixation on 3D-Printed Vertebrae Model: An Experimental Education Study
Mehmet Gazi BOYACI1,Ugur FIDAN2,Ahmet Fatih YURAN2,Serhat YILDIZHAN1,Furkan KAYA3,Omer KIMSESIZ4,Merve OZDIL4,Akın CENGIZ1,Adem ASLAN1
1Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
2Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
3Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
4Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Medicine Undergraduate Student Member, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.30733-20.2 AIM: To investigate the use of Augmented Reality (AR) technology as it contributes to spinal surgery education with the free-hand technique, and might reduce the error ratio.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Ten candidates, with anatomy education but no surgical experience, applied 36 pedicle screws with C2-C3 posterior transpedicular fixation technique to nine vertebrae models produced via a three-dimensional (3D) printer.

RESULTS: Using AR to apply pedicle screws to the experimental vertebrae model increased the safety screw ratio significantly. In comparison of Grade 0 screws to other grades: 6/18 screws (33.3%) in the free-hand technique Group (n=18), and 14/18 screws (77.8%) in the AR Group (n=18), were measured for screw insertion safety ratios. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.018). The resemblance between our results and the results of previous studies researching supportive systems indicates our 3D printed vertebra model might be a helpful educational material.

CONCLUSION: AR increases the safety ratio of cervical pedicle screw fixation significantly. The parameters investigated and used for the production of vertebrae models in this study can be used for experimental material production for future studies to investigate pedicle screw positioning. Keywords : Augmented reality, Pedicle screws, Posterior instrumentation, Upper cervical spine fracture

Corresponding author : Mehmet Gazi BOYACI, mgazibyc@hotmail.com