[A comparative study on internal fixation of calcaneal fractures assisted by robot and traditional open reduction internal fixation].

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of robot assisted internal fixation and traditional open reduction and internal fixation for calcaneal fractures.

Methods: The clinical data of 44 patients (44 feets) with calcaneal fracture admitted between October 2017 and December 2018 who met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. According to different operation methods, they were divided into trial group (19 cases, treated with robot assisted percutaneous reduction and cannulated screw fixation through tarsal sinus incision) and control group (25 cases, treated with open reduction and internal fixation via traditional tarsal sinus incision). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injured side, cause of injury, fracture type, time from injury to operation, and preoperative Böhler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneus width, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS) score, and other general data between the two groups ( >0.05). The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, and fracture healing time were recorded and compared between the two groups. Before operation and at 6 months after operation, the Böhler angle and Gissane angle were measured on the lateral X-ray film, and the calcaneal width was measured on the axial X-ray film of the calcaneus to evaluate the recovery of the deformity and collapse after surgical treatment; the AOFAS score was used to evaluate the function of the affected foot and ankle joint.

Results: The operation time of the trial group was significantly longer than that of the control group ( <0.05), but the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency was significantly less than that of the control group ( <0.05). In the control group, 1 case had skin necrosis, and 1 case had a little leakage from the incision; the rest of the two groups had no skin- and incision-related complications. Patients in both groups were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 9.5 months. At 6 months after operation, the Böhler angle, Gissane angle, and calcaneal width in the two groups were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones ( <0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( >0.05); the fractures in the two groups were healed, there was no significant difference in healing time ( =-1.890, =0.066); the AOFAS scores of the two groups were significantly higher than those before operation ( <0.05), and the AOFAS score of the trial group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( =-3.135, =0.003).

Conclusion: Compared with traditional C-arm fluoroscopic internal fixation for calcaneal fractures, robot-assisted internal fixation via tarsal sinus incision for calcaneal fractures significantly improves the function of the affected foot and maintains the accuracy of nail implantation after fracture reduction, reducing intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and the fracture heals well.