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Review
. 2024 Jun 21;10(2):305-312.
doi: 10.21037/jss-23-40. Epub 2024 May 15.

Robotic-assisted spine surgery-a narrative review

Christopher L Antonacci  1 , Francine Zeng  1 , Andrew Block  1 , Annabelle Davey  1 , Heeren Makanji  2
Affiliations
Review

Robotic-assisted spine surgery-a narrative review

Christopher L Antonacci et al. J Spine Surg. .

Abstract

Background and objective: Emerging technologies have increasingly been adopted in spine surgery in the attempt to increase precision and improve outcomes. Robotic assistance is an area of significant interest, with proposed benefits including increased accuracy, decreased complication rates, and decreased radiation exposure. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the currently available robotic assistance systems and their associated outcomes and limitations.

Methods: A review of national databases was performed using key terms "robotic", "spine", and "surgery" for literature from 2014 to 2023. Studies that aimed to describe the utilities of endoscopic surgeries, associated outcomes, limitations, and future directions were included. Studies that were not in English were excluded.

Key content and findings: This review includes a brief overview of the history of robotic spine surgery as well as its clinical outcomes, limitations, and future directions.

Conclusions: Robotic-assisted spine surgery has seen increasing use in the attempt to increase precision and improve outcomes and has been associated with increased accuracy in pedicle screw placement and decreased complication rates. Barriers to its adoption include a significant learning curve, possibly longer operative cases, and significant associated costs. As robotic assistance continues to become increasingly popular in spine surgery, it is critical for surgeons to understand the technology available and the associated outcomes to make informed decisions when considering which system to incorporate into their practice.

Keywords: Robot; cervical; lumbar; spine; thoracic.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://jss.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/jss-23-40/coif). The series “Minimally Invasive Techniques in Spine Surgery and Trend Toward Ambulatory Surgery” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Example of preoperative planning for T10 to pelvis fusion using the Mazor X. (A) S1 axial and sagittal views, (B) stacked pelvis coronal and axial views, (C) stacked sagittal and coronal views, and (D) T11 axial and coronal views. LT, lateral; AP, anteroposterior; 3D, three-dimensional; AX, axial; TRJ, trajectory; S, superior; A, anterior; P, posterior; I, inferior; L, left; R, right.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Axial image of L4 with preoperative planning (A), postoperative lateral (B), and AP (C) spine radiographs. LT, lateral; AP, anteroposterior; 3D, three-dimensional.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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