title: Computerized navigation for the internal fixation of femoral neck fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accurate placement of cannulated screws is essential to ensure secure fixation of femoral neck fractures. We compared computerized navigation and conventional fluoroscopy with regard to the accuracy of screw placement for the fixation of femoral neck fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively compared two groups of twenty consecutive patients with a femoral neck fracture who underwent internal fixation with three cannulated screws. Computer-based navigation was used to guide screw placement in one group, and conventional fluoroscopy was used in the other group. Radiographic evaluation included the measurement of screw parallelism and spread, the calibrated distance from the lesser trochanter, and joint penetration. The follow-up period was two years. The rates of complications in both groups were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The navigation-assisted group had better screw parallelism and greater spread of the screws. There was a tendency for fewer reoperations and significantly fewer overall complications in the patients in whom computerized navigation was used (p < 0.018).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computerized navigation improves the accuracy of cannulated screw placement in the internal fixation of femoral neck fractures. It may provide better mechanical stability and improved fracture outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical School, Hadassah Medical Center, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. liebergall@hadassah.org.il
authors.forename: Meir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liebergall
authors.forename: Dror
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ben-David
authors.forename: Yoram
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Weil
authors.forename: Amos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peyser
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mosheiff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted