Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Robot-Assisted Versus Conventional Fluoroscopy-Guided Techniques in the Treatment of Scaphoid Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Summary

6 studies including 250 patients with scaphoid fractures were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing robot-assisted screw fixation (RA-SF) vs conventional fluoroscopy-guided screw fixation (FG-SF). Pooled outcomes of interest included operative time, fluoroscopy frequency, guidewire adjustment frequency, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores, Mayo functional score, and complications. RA-SF significantly reduced operative time, fluoroscopy frequency, guidewire adjustments, intraoperative blood loss, and fracture healing time, and it improved Mayo functional scores. However, postoperative pain scores and complication rates did not differ significantly between groups. Overall, these findings suggest that RA-SF may improve procedural efficiency, precision, and functional recovery in scaphoid fracture surgery, although higher-quality evidence is still needed.