Computer- and robot-assisted resection and reconstruction of pelvic bone tumours - A review

Treating bone tumours within the pelvis is challenging due to the complex 3D geometry of the pelvic bone and the proximity of numerous organs and delicate structures. Pelvic bone tumours can be resected and reconstructed with bone allografts; such interventions require good cutting accuracy. This article provides a short review of the current developments in computer and robot assistance technologies integrated with pelvic bone tumour resection and reconstruction. Since the 1990s, there has been substantial development of intra-operative navigation systems. For bone tumour surgery, the majority of these systems are based on pre-operative planning using a 3D virtual model of the patient. Navigation consists of guiding tumour resection by providing surgeons with useful 3D information about the position of the surgical tools relative to the surgical site. At the present time, there exists only one clinical case report of a navigated pelvic tumour resection combined with a navigated allograft reconstruction. Finally, no studies have yet been published on robot-assisted pelvic tumour resection and reconstruction.