Dr. Edward Perry surpasses placing 5,000 pedicle screws using the O-arm® image-guided stealth navigation system

Reno, Nevada, June 14, 2021 — Dr. Edward Perry surpasses placing 5,000 pedicle screws using the O-arm image-guided stealth navigation system. Developed by Medtronic, O-arm is the gold standard of care for intraoperative spinal imaging. It delivers reliable results for a wide variety of spine surgeries. “In my experience the O-arm has shown unparalleled accuracy. It provides me the information I need, exactly when I need it.” Of the 5000 pedicle screws placed by Dr. Perry, only 14 screws required intraoperative adjustments after placement; equivalent to a 99.72% accuracy rate. “Because we consistently perform a post placement spin, the 14 screws were readjusted before leaving the operating room. This has eliminated all hardware related returns to the operating room. Further, because of the initial accurate placement of screws, future revisions are significantly reduced, benefiting patients,” explains Dr. Perry. The O-arm technology is used with stealth guided systems for image registration, including the Augmedics augmented reality system and other robotic systems.

“The O-arm has shown unparalleled accuracy. It provides me the information I need, exactly when I need it.”

Dr. Edward Perry

Improved surgical accuracy

Stealth-guided placement helps reduce the variables and allows surgeons to validate accuracy during and immediately following a surgical case. It helps reduce the need for revision surgeries and enables surgeons to perform technically superior surgeries. Studies have shown that three-dimensional fluoroscopic image guidance systems demonstrate a significantly higher pedicle screw placement accuracy than conventional fluoroscopy (68.1% accuracy) or 2D fluoroscopic (84.3% accuracy) image guidance methods. The O-arm technology is also used with other stealth guided systems for image registration, including the Augmedics augmented reality system.

Benefits of spine surgery with the O-arm

Before surgery, a 360-degree scan is performed using the O-arm to target the ideal viewing position for the surgical team in advance of surgery. Using its neuronavigation system, the O-arm identifies the proposed placement of spinal instrumentation early on and then confirms their positions once placed. The technology results in improved surgeries with fewer complications and less radiation exposure for patients and the surgical team.

During the surgery, images are displayed on a digital mobile viewing station, offering the surgical team excellent visibility of the operative field. “The O-arm technology frees me up to focus on the patient,” says Dr. Perry. “Success of spine surgery is measured by patient satisfaction and the ability of patients to get back to a more active life. Our patients are pleased with their results. I’m happy to continue to bring innovative surgical technologies to the Northern Nevada community,” he adds.

The O-arm® system provides guidance during complex spine surgeries and provides the following advantages over C-arm fluoroscopes currently in use. These advantages include:

• The O-arm® can be positioned without moving the patient, the ring shaped gantry can be both opened and closed.
• The imaging ring may be tilted and angled to capture images not possible with older, more limited systems
• Ultra-fast imaging reduces x-ray exposure of patients and staff
• Detailed 3-D surgical site images are available for surgeon viewing in seconds, not minutes. This feature is ideal as surgeons confirm precise placement of hard and may help eliminate need for future revision surgery.
• The O-arm® system may be partnered with Renown’s StealthStation neurosurgical platform.

The O-arm® is manufactured and distributed by the Navigation division of Medtronic, Inc. As the worldwide leader in surgical navigation, Medtronic offers a wide range of solutions in surgical navigation for spine, neurological and orthopedic surgery.