Effectiveness of Tirobot-assisted Vertebroplasty in Treating Thoracolumbar Osteoporotic Compression Fracture

Background: Percutaneous kyphoplasty is the main method for the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fractures. However, much radiation exposure during the operation could harm the health of the surgeon and the patient. In addition, the accuracy of its surgery still needs to be improved. This study aimed to assess the radiation exposure and clinical efficacy of Tirobot-assisted vertebroplasty in treating thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fracture. Methods: A total of 60 patients with thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fracture who underwent unilateral vertebroplasty at our hospital between June 2019 and June 2020 were included in this retrospective cohort study. All of them were between 60 and 90 years old and free of systemic diseases. All the patients were assigned to Tirobot group (treated with Tirobot-assisted approach) and control group (treated with traditional approach). Fluoroscopic frequency, operative duration, length of stay (LOS), post-operative complications (cement leakage, infection, and thrombosis), pre-operative and pre-discharge indexes (VAS scores, JOA scores, and Cobb’s angles) were compared. Results: The fluoroscopic frequency(P<0.001), post-operative complications(P=0.035) in Tirobot group was significantly lower than those in control group. The operative duration and LOS in Tirobot group were shorter than those in control group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P=0.183). Pre-discharge VAS score and Cobb’s angle decreased, and JOA increased after surgeries in both groups. These three indexes showed significant differences after surgery in each group (P<0.001), but not between groups (P VAS =0.175, P Cobb’s =0.585, P JOA =0.448). Conclusion: As a safe and effective strategy, Tirobot-assisted vertebroplasty can reduce radiation exposure and be clinically replicated.