Introduction: Stereotactic navigation is widely used in the placement of pedicle screws. The current systems available today are expensive to acquire and maintain. This study evaluates the use of a smartphone application specifically created to stereotactically place a pedicle screw using an off the shelf smartphone.
Methods: An application was created by the author which uses the camera on the smartphone to acquire an image of the vertebral segment. The image is then stored and an entry point and trajectory are entered by the user into the smartphone. Once this is done, the smartphone, using its internal gyroscope is used to guide the placement of the initial probe and thereby create a tract for placement of the pedicle screw.
Results: Pedicle screws were safely and accurately placed using a smartphone. The accuracy was verified using post operative CT scans.
Conclusions: Using an a smartphone and the pedicle screw placement application, pedicle screws can be safely and accurately placed at a much lower cost than with current systems.
Patient Care: This smartphone application will provide surgeons with a safe mean s of stereotactic placement of pedicle screws with a less expensive alternative than current systems offer.
Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to understand and discuss an alternative system for the stereotactic placement of pedicle screws.