Published online Jun 26, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i12.2464
Peer-review started: February 10, 2020
First decision: April 29, 2020
Revised: May 21, 2020
Accepted: May 26, 2020
Article in press: May 26, 2020
Published online: June 26, 2020
Processing time: 135 Days and 5.9 Hours
Pelvic fractures are often caused by high-energy injuries and accompanied by hemodynamic instability. Traditional open surgery has a large amount of bleeding, which is not suitable for patients with acute pelvic fracture. Navigation-guided, percutaneous puncture-screw implantation has gradually become a preferred procedure due to its advantages, which include less trauma, faster recovery times, and less bleeding. However, due to the complexity of pelvic anatomy, doctors often encounter some problems when using navigation to treat pelvic fractures. This article reviews the indications, contraindications, surgical procedures, and related complications of this procedure for the treatment of sacral fractures, sacroiliac joint injuries, pelvic ring injuries, and acetabular fractures. We also analyze the causes of inaccurate screw placement. Percutaneous screw placement under navigational guidance has the advantages of high accuracy, low incidence of complications and small soft-tissue damage, minimal blood loss, short hospital stays, and quick recovery. There is no difference in the incidence of complications between surgeries performed by new doctors and experienced ones. However, computer navigation technology requires extensive training, and attention should be given to avoid complications such as screw misplacement, intestinal injury, and serious blood vessel and nerve injuries caused by navigational drift.
Core tip: Computer-assisted navigation is a technology used in minimally invasive spinal surgery. It provides advantages such as rapid recovery and minimal trauma. Here, we discuss the indications, contraindications, surgical procedures, and related complications during percutaneous screw fixation for the treatment of sacral fractures, sacroiliac-joint injuries, pelvic ring injuries, and acetabular fractures. The advantages of navigation in the treatment of pelvic fracture are clarified. At the same time, paying attention to navigational drift is also reminded.