The Hypothesis of Navigation Guided Alarm (NGA), A New Software Technique To Be Used During Spinal Instrumentation

Abstract

Omar Abdelhay Eldanasory, MD, PhD. FACS. ASCD

Background: An innovative idea to be applied to the navigation software system during spinal instrumentation to enhance screw trajectory accuracy aiming to properly equalize the distribution of the loading forces on the spine and the instrumentation system.

Methods: The hypothesis of the navigation-guided alarm during spinal instrumentation is an idea under trial to be applied to the navigation system workstation software. Its application depends on proper anatomical and physiological localization of entry points, and Screws trajectory. The navigation-guided alarm idea works if the screws target the specific proper anatomical entry points, pedicle- body screw direction, and it will appear as a green line on the navigation screen with a green sound alarm.

Results: the hypothesis is still not investigated and theoretically it will be beneficial and promising for all types of spinal instrumentation aiming to preserve and restore normal spine alignment through proper instrumentation.

Conclusions: Different screw entry points or different screw directions inside the pedicles and or inside the vertebral bodies may theoretically result in various loading forces leading to instrumentation systems failure. The postulated value of the navigation-guided alarm (NGA) is to achieve a perfect screw trajectory during spinal instrumentation while preserving the normal spine alignment to avoid failed back surgeries.

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