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A comparison of free-hand method and electromagnetic navigation technique for the distal locking during intramedullary nailing procedures: a meta-analysis

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Some studies have reported that the electromagnetic navigation (EN) technique is better than the free-hand (FH) method. Nevertheless, there are few clinical trials. In recent years, several clinical trials have been conducted, providing sufficient information to compare the two methods.

Methods

We compared the FH and EN techniques (SURESHOT, Smith and Nephew, Inc., Memphis, TN) in terms of the distal locking time, exposure time, first success rate, healing time and operative time. We comprehensively searched the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library databases according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then we extracted data for specific variables from these reports. The risk of bias was assessed. Stata 13.0 was used for analysis.

Results

Nine studies involving 579 patients were pooled in this study. The meta-analysis showed that EN was associated with a shorter distal locking time (P = 0.001) and exposure time (P = 0.001) than FH performed by surgeons who are not proficient in using the FH technique. No significant differences were found in the first success rate (P = 0.231), healing time (P = 0.09) or operative time (P = 0.510).

Conclusion

The EN technique has the advantages of a shorter distal locking time and smaller amount of ionizing radiation exposure compared with the FH technique.

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Abbreviations

FH:

Free-hand

EN:

Electromagnetic navigation

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

NRCT:

Non-randomized control trial

NOS:

Newcastle–Ottawa scale

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Author notes

  1. Xiaoxu Zhao and Yonggang Fan contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaoxu Zhao, Yonggang Fan & Juwu Chen

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  1. Xiaoxu Zhao
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  2. Yonggang Fan
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Correspondence to Juwu Chen.

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Zhao, X., Fan, Y. & Chen, J. A comparison of free-hand method and electromagnetic navigation technique for the distal locking during intramedullary nailing procedures: a meta-analysis. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 141, 45–53 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-020-03456-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-020-03456-w

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