Robotic Technology

Abstract

With increasing numbers of patients requiring spine surgery, there has been an emphasis on technological advances designed to enhance surgical outcomes and improve patient safety. In particular, the number of elective spinal fusion surgeries in the USA continues to increase. Instrumentation of the spine with pedicle screws is frequently used for indications including deformity and instability. With neurovascular structures near the pedicle, accurate screw placement is of paramount importance to ensure good outcomes. Reported complications related to pedicle screw malposition range from 1% to 54% (Molliqaj et al., Neurosurg Focus 42(5): E14, 2017). Currently, there are several techniques described for inserting pedicle screws, including freehand manual insertion based on anatomic landmarks and fluoroscopy, manual insertion with navigation assistance systems, and robotic-assisted methods.