Overview of Methods to Quantify Invasiveness of Surgical Approaches in Orthopedic Surgery-A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND: There is a trend toward minimally invasive and more automated procedures in orthopedic surgery. An important aspect in the further development of these techniques is the quantitative assessment of the surgical approach. The aim of this scoping review is to deliver a structured overview on the currently used methods for quantitative analysis of a surgical approaches' invasiveness in orthopedic procedures. The compiled metrics presented in the herein study can serve as the basis for digitization of surgery and advanced computational methods that focus on optimizing surgical procedures. METHODS: We performed a blinded literature search in November 2020. In-vivo and ex-vivo studies that quantitatively assess the invasiveness of the surgical approach were included with a special focus on radiological methods. We excluded studies using exclusively one or multiple of the following parameters: risk of reoperation, risk of dislocation, risk of infection, risk of patient-reported nerve injury, rate of thromboembolic event, function, length of stay, blood loss, pain, operation time. RESULTS: The final selection included 51 articles. In the included papers, approaches to 8 different anatomical structures were investigated, the majority of which examined procedures of the hip (57%) and the spine (29%). The different modalities to measure the invasiveness were categorized into three major groups "biological" (23 papers), "radiological" (25), "measured in-situ" (14) and their use "in-vivo" or "ex-vivo" was analyzed. Additionally, we explain the basic principles of each modality and match it to the anatomical structures it has been used on. DISCUSSION: An ideal metric used to quantify the invasiveness of a surgical approach should be accurate, cost-effective, non-invasive, comprehensive and integratable into the clinical workflow. We find that the radiological methods best meet such criteria. However, radiological metrics can be more prone to confounders such as coexisting pathologies than in-situ measurements but are non-invasive and possible to perform in-vivo. Additionally, radiological metrics require substantial expertise and are not cost-effective. Owed to their high accuracy and low invasiveness, radiological methods are, in our opinion, the best suited for computational applications optimizing surgical procedures. The key to quantify a surgical approach's invasiveness lies in the integration of multiple metrics

X23D-Intraoperative 3D Lumbar Spine Shape Reconstruction Based on Sparse Multi-View X-ray Data

Visual assessment based on intraoperative 2D X-rays remains the predominant aid for intraoperative decision-making, surgical guidance, and error prevention. However, correctly assessing the 3D shape of complex anatomies, such as the spine, based on planar fluoroscopic images remains a challenge even for experienced surgeons. This work proposes a novel deep learning-based method to intraoperatively estimate the 3D shape of patients' lumbar vertebrae directly from sparse, multi-view X-ray data. High-quality and accurate 3D reconstructions were achieved with a learned multi-view stereo machine approach capable of incorporating the X-ray calibration parameters in the neural network. This strategy allowed a priori knowledge of the spinal shape to be acquired while preserving patient specificity and achieving a higher accuracy compared to the state of the art. Our method was trained and evaluated on 17,420 fluoroscopy images that were digitally reconstructed from the public CTSpine1K dataset. As evaluated by unseen data, we achieved an 88% average F1 score and a 71% surface score. Furthermore, by utilizing the calibration parameters of the input X-rays, our method outperformed a counterpart method in the state of the art by 22% in terms of surface score. This increase in accuracy opens new possibilities for surgical navigation and intraoperative decision-making solely based on intraoperative data, especially in surgical applications where the acquisition of 3D image data is not part of the standard clinical workflow

A Statistical Shape Model-Based Analysis of Periacetabular Osteotomies: Technical Considerations to Achieve the Targeted Correction

BACKGROUND Classic and reverse Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) have been shown to be effective for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (by classic PAO), severe acetabular retroversion (by reverse PAO), and some protrusio acetabuli (by reverse PAO). Especially in severe cases with higher degrees of correction, a relevant overlap between the osteotomized fragment and the pelvis might occur, leading to necessary fragment translation. The aim of the present study was to analyze the necessary translation as a function of the degree of correction using a statistical mean model of the pelvis according to the technique (classic PAO or reverse PAO). METHODS A mean statistical shape model of the pelvis and 2 extreme models were used to simulate rotation of the osteotomized fragment during a classic or reverse PAO and to calculate rotations from -20° to 20° in the frontal, sagittal, and transverse planes and a combination thereof. The depth and volume of the intersection between the mobilized fragment and the pelvis were calculated, and the minimum translation of the fragment necessary to avoid segment overlap was determined. RESULTS The maximum intersection distances between the pelvis and the 20° rotated fragment were 6.7 and 15.3 mm for adduction and abduction (frontal plane), 6.4 and 4.5 mm for internal and external rotation (transverse plane), and 27.8 and 9.2 mm for extension and flexion (sagittal plane). The necessary translations for 20° of fragment rotation were 7.0 and 12.8 mm for adduction and abduction (frontal plane), 4.8 and 5.0 mm for internal and external rotation (transverse plane), and 18.5 mm and 8.8 mm for extension and flexion (sagittal plane). CONCLUSIONS Acetabular reorientation with the classic or reverse PAO results in translation of the fragment and in a consequent change in the rotational center. This finding is more pronounced with higher degrees of fragment reorientation in abduction and extension; it becomes especially pronounced in reverse PAO for acetabular retroversion or protrusio acetabuli, and might limit the ability to achieve the intended improvement in overall hip biomechanics

Factors affecting augmented reality head-mounted device performance in real OR

PURPOSE Over the last years, interest and efforts to implement augmented reality (AR) in orthopedic surgery through head-mounted devices (HMD) have increased. However, the majority of experiments were preclinical and within a controlled laboratory environment. The operating room (OR) is a more challenging environment with various confounding factors potentially affecting the performance of an AR-HMD. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of an AR-HMD in a real-life OR setting. METHODS An established AR application using the HoloLens 2 HMD was tested in an OR and in a laboratory by two users. The accuracy of the hologram overlay, the time to complete the trial, the number of rejected registration attempts, the delay in live overlay of the hologram, and the number of completely failed runs were recorded. Further, different OR setting parameters (light condition, setting up partitions, movement of personnel, and anchor placement) were modified and compared. RESULTS Time for full registration was higher with 48 s (IQR 24 s) in the OR versus 33 s (IQR 10 s) in the laboratory setting (p < 0.001). The other investigated parameters didn't differ significantly if an optimal OR setting was used. Within the OR, the strongest influence on performance of the AR-HMD was different light conditions with direct light illumination on the situs being the least favorable. CONCLUSION AR-HMDs are affected by different OR setups. Standardization measures for better AR-HMD performance include avoiding direct light illumination on the situs, setting up partitions, and minimizing the movement of personnel

Translation of Medical AR Research into Clinical Practice

Translational research is aimed at turning discoveries from basic science into results that advance patient treatment. The translation of technical solutions into clinical use is a complex, iterative process that involves different stages of design, development, and validation, such as the identification of unmet clinical needs, technical conception, development, verification and validation, regulatory matters, and ethics. For this reason, many promising technical developments at the interface of technology, informatics, and medicine remain research prototypes without finding their way into clinical practice. Augmented reality is a technology that is now making its breakthrough into patient care, even though it has been available for decades. In this work, we explain the translational process for Medical AR devices and present associated challenges and opportunities. To the best knowledge of the authors, this concept paper is the first to present a guideline for the translation of medical AR research into clinical practice

Pivot calibration concept for sensor attached mobile c-arms

Medical augmented reality has been actively studied for decades and many methods have been proposed torevolutionize clinical procedures. One example is the camera augmented mobile C-arm (CAMC), which providesa real-time video augmentation onto medical images by rigidly mounting and calibrating a camera to the imagingdevice. Since then, several CAMC variations have been suggested by calibrating 2D/3D cameras, trackers, andmore recently a Microsoft HoloLens to the C-arm. Different calibration methods have been applied to establishthe correspondence between the rigidly attached sensor and the imaging device. A crucial step for these methodsis the acquisition of X-Ray images or 3D reconstruction volumes; therefore, requiring the emission of ionizingradiation. In this work, we analyze the mechanical motion of the device and propose an alternatative methodto calibrate sensors to the C-arm without emitting any radiation. Given a sensor is rigidly attached to thedevice, we introduce an extended pivot calibration concept to compute the fixed translation from the sensor tothe C-arm rotation center. The fixed relationship between the sensor and rotation center can be formulated as apivot calibration problem with the pivot point moving on a locus. Our method exploits the rigid C-arm motiondescribing a Torus surface to solve this calibration problem. We explain the geometry of the C-arm motion andits relation to the attached sensor, propose a calibration algorithm and show its robustness against noise, as wellas trajectory and observed pose density by computer simulations. We discuss this geometric-based formulationand its potential extensions to different C-arm applications.Comment: Accepted for Image-Guided Procedures, Robotic Interventions, and Modeling 2020, Houston, TX, US

Elongation Patterns of the Superficial Medial Collateral Ligament and the Posterior Oblique Ligament: A 3-Dimensional, Weightbearing Computed Tomography Simulation

Background Although length change patterns of the medial knee structures have been reported, either the weightbearing state was not considered or quantitative radiographic landmarks that allow the identification of the insertion sites were not reported. Purpose To (1) analyze the length changes of the superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) and posterior oblique ligament (POL) under weightbearing conditions and (2) to identify the femoral sMCL insertion site that demonstrates the smallest length changes during knee flexion and report quantitative radiographic landmarks. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods The authors performed a 3-dimensional (3D) analysis of 10 healthy knees from 0° to 120° of knee flexion using weightbearing computed tomography (CT) scans. Ligament length changes of the sMCL and POL during knee flexion were analyzed using an automatic string generation algorithm. The most isometric femoral insertion of the sMCL that demonstrated the smallest length changes throughout the full range of motion (ROM) was identified. Radiographic landmarks were reported on an isometric grid defined by a true lateral view of the 3D CT model and transferred to a digitally reconstructed radiograph. Results The sMCL demonstrated small ligament length changes, and the POL demonstrated substantial shortening during knee flexion (P = .005). Shortening of the POL started from 30° of flexion. The most isometric femoral sMCL insertion was located 0.6 ± 1.7 mm posterior and 0.8 ± 1.2 mm inferior to the center of the sMCL insertion and prevented ligament length changes >5% during knee flexion in all participants. The insertion was located 47.8% ± 2.7% from the anterior femoral cortex and 46.3% ± 1.9% from the joint line on a true lateral 3D CT view. Conclusion The POL demonstrated substantial shortening starting from 30° of knee flexion and requires tightening near full extension to avoid overconstraint. Femoral sMCL graft placement directly posteroinferior to the center of the anatomical insertion of the sMCL demonstrated the most isometric behavior during knee flexion. Clinical Relevance The described elongation patterns of the sMCL and POL aid in guiding surgical medial knee reconstruction and preventing graft lengthening and overconstraint of the medial compartment. Repetitive graft lengthening is associated with graft failure, and overconstraint leads to increased compartment pressure, cartilage degeneration, and restricted ROM

Elongation Patterns of Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction Techniques: Results Using 3-Dimensional Weightbearing Computed Tomography Simulation

Background The isometric characteristics of nonanatomic and anatomic posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction techniques under weightbearing conditions remain unclear. Purpose To (1) simulate graft elongation patterns during knee flexion for 3 different PLC reconstruction techniques (Larson, Arciero, and LaPrade) and (2) compute the most isometric insertion points of the fibular collateral ligament (FCL) graft strands for each technique and report quantitative radiographic landmarks. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods The authors performed a 3-dimensional simulation of 10 healthy knees from 0° to 120° of flexion using weightbearing computed tomography (CT) scans. The simulation was used to calculate ligament length changes during knee flexion for the PLC reconstruction techniques of Larson (nonanatomic single-bundle fibular sling reconstruction), Arciero (anatomic reconstruction with additional popliteofibular ligament graft strand), and LaPrade (anatomic reconstruction with popliteofibular ligament graft strand and popliteus tendon graft strand). The most isometric femoral insertion points for the FCL graft strands were computed within a 10-mm radius around the lateral epicondyle (LE), using an automatic string generation algorithm (0 indicating perfect isometry). Radiographic landmarks for the most isometric points were reported. Results Median graft lengthening during knee flexion was similar for the anterior graft strands of all 3 techniques. The posterior graft strands demonstrated significant differences, from lengthening for the Arciero (9.9 mm [range, 6.7 to 15.9 mm]) and LaPrade (10.2 mm [range, 4.1 to 19.7 mm]) techniques to shortening for the Larson technique (-17.1 mm [range, -9.3 to -22.3 mm]; P < .0010). The most isometric point for the FCL graft strands of all techniques was located at a median of 2.2 mm (range, -2.2 to 4.5 mm) posterior and 0.3 mm (range, -1.8 to 3.7 mm) distal to the LE. Conclusion Overconstraint can be avoided by tensioning the posterior graft strands in the Larson technique in extension, and in the Arciero and LaPrade techniques at a minimum of 60° of knee flexion. The most isometric point was located posterodistal to the LE. Clinical Relevance The described isometric behavior of nonanatomic and anatomic PLC reconstruction techniques can guide optimal surgical reconstruction and prevent graft lengthening and overconstraint of the lateral compartment in knee flexion. Repetitive graft lengthening has been found to be associated with graft failure, and overconstraint favors lateral compartment pressure and cartilage degeneration

Three-Dimensional Planning and Patient-Specific Instrumentation for the Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures

Background and Objectives: Three-dimensional planning and guided osteotomy utilizing patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) with the contralateral side used as a reference have been proven as effective in the treatment of malunions following complex fractures of the distal radius. However, this approach has not yet been described in relation to fracture reduction of the distal radius. The aim of this study was to assess the technical and logistical feasibility of computer-assisted surgery in a clinical setting using PSI for fracture reduction and fixation. Materials and Methods: Five patients with varied fracture patterns of the distal radius underwent operative treatment with using PSI. The first applied PSI guide allowed specific and accurate placement of Kirschner wires inside the multiple fragments, with subsequent concurrent reduction using a second guide. Results: Planning, printing of the guides, and operations were performed within 5.6 days on average (range of 1-10 days). All patients could be treated within a reasonable period of time, demonstrating good outcomes, and were able to return to work after a follow-up of three months. Mean wrist movements (°) were 58 (standard deviation (SD) 21) in flexion, 62 (SD 15) in extension, 73 (SD 4) in pronation and 74 (SD 10) in supination at a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Conclusions: Three-dimensional planned osteosynthesis using PSI for treatment of distal radius fractures is feasible and facilitates reduction of multiple fracture fragments. However, higher costs must be taken into consideration for this treatment

Improved Techniques for the Conditional Generative Augmentation of Clinical Audio Data

Data augmentation is a valuable tool for the design of deep learning systems to overcome data limitations and stabilize the training process. Especially in the medical domain, where the collection of large-scale data sets is challenging and expensive due to limited access to patient data, relevant environments, as well as strict regulations, community-curated large-scale public datasets, pretrained models, and advanced data augmentation methods are the main factors for developing reliable systems to improve patient care. However, for the development of medical acoustic sensing systems, an emerging field of research, the community lacks large-scale publicly available data sets and pretrained models. To address the problem of limited data, we propose a conditional generative adversarial neural network-based augmentation method which is able to synthesize mel spectrograms from a learned data distribution of a source data set. In contrast to previously proposed fully convolutional models, the proposed model implements residual Squeeze and Excitation modules in the generator architecture. We show that our method outperforms all classical audio augmentation techniques and previously published generative methods in terms of generated sample quality and a performance improvement of 2.84% of Macro F1-Score for a classifier trained on the augmented data set, an enhancement of $1.14\%$ in relation to previous work. By analyzing the correlation of intermediate feature spaces, we show that the residual Squeeze and Excitation modules help the model to reduce redundancy in the latent features. Therefore, the proposed model advances the state-of-the-art in the augmentation of clinical audio data and improves the data bottleneck for the design of clinical acoustic sensing systems