Study protocol: the SPInal NAVigation (SPINAV) trial – comparison of augmented reality surgical navigation, conventional image-guided navigation, and free-hand technique for pedicle screw placement in spinal deformity surgery

Abstract Background and purpose Although navigation is increasingly used in spinal surgery, the advantage of different navigation technologies is still a matter of debate. Conventional image-guided navigation is currently the gold standard. However, modern, Augmented reality-based navigation methods...

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Main Authors: Victor Gabriel El-Hajj, Anastasios Charalampidis, Daniel Fell, Erik Edström, Adrian Elmi-Terander, Paul Gerdhem
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08817-3
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author Victor Gabriel El-Hajj
Anastasios Charalampidis
Daniel Fell
Erik Edström
Adrian Elmi-Terander
Paul Gerdhem
author_facet Victor Gabriel El-Hajj
Anastasios Charalampidis
Daniel Fell
Erik Edström
Adrian Elmi-Terander
Paul Gerdhem
author_sort Victor Gabriel El-Hajj
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and purpose Although navigation is increasingly used in spinal surgery, the advantage of different navigation technologies is still a matter of debate. Conventional image-guided navigation is currently the gold standard. However, modern, Augmented reality-based navigation methods are increasingly gaining ground. Surgical navigation in deformity surgery allows placement of pedicle screws in small and deformed pedicles and may result in both a higher accuracy and density of pedicle screw placement. The aim of this trial is to compare AR and conventional surgical navigation to free-hand technique. Patients and methods This is a single center, open label, parallel assignment, three arm, randomized, controlled trial, comparing: Augmented reality surgical navigation (ARSN), Infrared surgical navigation (IRSN) and Free-hand (FH) technique. Individuals scheduled for spinal deformity surgery are eligible for inclusion. The inclusion criteria are written informed consent, age ≥ 12 years and spinal deformity. Subjects will be randomized intraoperatively and strictly sequentially. Outcomes The primary endpoint is accurately placed pedicle screws based on intraoperative verification cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. All radiological image analyses, on both intra- and postoperative imaging will be performed postoperatively by blinded reviewers. Several secondary outcome measures including revision rate, radiation exposure, implant density and final accuracy will be analyzed. Patient reported outcomes will also be assessed. Finally, a cost–benefit analysis will be performed. Start of trial and estimated duration The SPINAV trial started recruiting patients in January 2022 and will continue for approximately 2.5 years. Trial registration The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05107310) on 2021–11-03.
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spelling doaj-art-c2dbb832a360494fba9db1c34adfe6052025-08-20T02:30:47ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-06-0126111110.1186/s12891-025-08817-3Study protocol: the SPInal NAVigation (SPINAV) trial – comparison of augmented reality surgical navigation, conventional image-guided navigation, and free-hand technique for pedicle screw placement in spinal deformity surgeryVictor Gabriel El-Hajj0Anastasios Charalampidis1Daniel Fell2Erik Edström3Adrian Elmi-Terander4Paul Gerdhem5Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC)Capio Stockholm Spine Center, Löwenströmska HospitalDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC)Abstract Background and purpose Although navigation is increasingly used in spinal surgery, the advantage of different navigation technologies is still a matter of debate. Conventional image-guided navigation is currently the gold standard. However, modern, Augmented reality-based navigation methods are increasingly gaining ground. Surgical navigation in deformity surgery allows placement of pedicle screws in small and deformed pedicles and may result in both a higher accuracy and density of pedicle screw placement. The aim of this trial is to compare AR and conventional surgical navigation to free-hand technique. Patients and methods This is a single center, open label, parallel assignment, three arm, randomized, controlled trial, comparing: Augmented reality surgical navigation (ARSN), Infrared surgical navigation (IRSN) and Free-hand (FH) technique. Individuals scheduled for spinal deformity surgery are eligible for inclusion. The inclusion criteria are written informed consent, age ≥ 12 years and spinal deformity. Subjects will be randomized intraoperatively and strictly sequentially. Outcomes The primary endpoint is accurately placed pedicle screws based on intraoperative verification cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. All radiological image analyses, on both intra- and postoperative imaging will be performed postoperatively by blinded reviewers. Several secondary outcome measures including revision rate, radiation exposure, implant density and final accuracy will be analyzed. Patient reported outcomes will also be assessed. Finally, a cost–benefit analysis will be performed. Start of trial and estimated duration The SPINAV trial started recruiting patients in January 2022 and will continue for approximately 2.5 years. Trial registration The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05107310) on 2021–11-03.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08817-3NavigationSpinal instrumentationPedicle screwsAugmented reality
spellingShingle Victor Gabriel El-Hajj
Anastasios Charalampidis
Daniel Fell
Erik Edström
Adrian Elmi-Terander
Paul Gerdhem
Study protocol: the SPInal NAVigation (SPINAV) trial – comparison of augmented reality surgical navigation, conventional image-guided navigation, and free-hand technique for pedicle screw placement in spinal deformity surgery
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Navigation
Spinal instrumentation
Pedicle screws
Augmented reality
title Study protocol: the SPInal NAVigation (SPINAV) trial – comparison of augmented reality surgical navigation, conventional image-guided navigation, and free-hand technique for pedicle screw placement in spinal deformity surgery
title_full Study protocol: the SPInal NAVigation (SPINAV) trial – comparison of augmented reality surgical navigation, conventional image-guided navigation, and free-hand technique for pedicle screw placement in spinal deformity surgery
title_fullStr Study protocol: the SPInal NAVigation (SPINAV) trial – comparison of augmented reality surgical navigation, conventional image-guided navigation, and free-hand technique for pedicle screw placement in spinal deformity surgery
title_full_unstemmed Study protocol: the SPInal NAVigation (SPINAV) trial – comparison of augmented reality surgical navigation, conventional image-guided navigation, and free-hand technique for pedicle screw placement in spinal deformity surgery
title_short Study protocol: the SPInal NAVigation (SPINAV) trial – comparison of augmented reality surgical navigation, conventional image-guided navigation, and free-hand technique for pedicle screw placement in spinal deformity surgery
title_sort study protocol the spinal navigation spinav trial comparison of augmented reality surgical navigation conventional image guided navigation and free hand technique for pedicle screw placement in spinal deformity surgery
topic Navigation
Spinal instrumentation
Pedicle screws
Augmented reality
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08817-3
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