Editorial on “Increased radiation but no benefits in pedicle screw accuracy with navigation versus a freehand technique in scoliosis surgery”

Spine surgery is a rapidly evolving field. Advancements in operative techniques, including the use of navigation, have allowed for reduced operative times, reduced blood loss, lower complication rates, and overall improvements in outcomes. Pedicle screw fixation has been available for several decades and is currently the cornerstone of spinal instrumentation. Although the free-hand technique is a widely adopted method for screw placement, it is operator and experience-dependent with risk of misplacement. Furthermore, misplaced screws may cause reduced biomechanical strength of the construct or injury to neurovascular structures or adjacent organs.