What is Robotic spine surgery?

Robotic spine surgery, or robot-assisted spine surgery, describes the use of robotic technology to assist with guidance during spinal neurosurgery. Traditionally, neurosurgeons have placed instrumentation in the spine “freehand,” relying on their knowledge of anatomy and on X-rays.

Can back surgery be done robotically?

Robotic spine surgery is a form of minimally invasive spine surgery. If you are experiencing chronic back pain that is unresponsive to non-surgical treatment, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery in conjunction with the ExcelsiusGPS™ spinal surgery system.

Why are robots used in surgery?

Robotic surgery, or robot-assisted surgery, allows doctors to perform many types of complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques. Robotic surgery is usually associated with minimally invasive surgery — procedures performed through tiny incisions.

What is spine surgery called?

Laminectomy is a procedure that is used to treat spinal stenosis or pressure on the nerves of the low back. The surgery involves an incision on the back of the spine that allows the surgeon to remove bone spurs and thickened ligaments that are pressing on the nerves of the low back.

Is Robotic spine surgery better?

Robot-assisted spine surgery has many advantages, even with limited use, such as: Increased accuracy of pedicle screw placement. Decreased radiation exposure to surgeons and surgical team (from fluoroscopy) Less tissue destruction than traditional surgery.

How is robotic surgery controlled?

During a Robotic-assisted procedure, your surgeon uses master controls to manipulate the instruments, and the instruments translate your surgeon’s movements into precise movements inside your body. Your surgeon is in control the whole time; the surgical system responds to the direction he provides.

What are the disadvantages of robotic surgery?

Disadvantages

• The procedure is highly technical and requires specialized, extensive training of the surgeon, who is already highly skilled in oncologic and laparoscopic procedures.
• The procedure can be done only at centers of excellence and hence availability of this procedure is limited.
• High investment cost.
• Higher costs.

Is Spine Surgery high risk?

Anesthesia Risks Most spine surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. You will be given medication through an intravenous (IV) line to put you to sleep, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Risks from anesthesia are rare but serious. These risks include heart attack, stroke, brain damage, and death.

What is considered a major back surgery?

The three main types of back surgery include spinal fusion, laminectomy, and discectomy. These surgical procedures can be very effective in correcting the problems causing your pain.

How much does a robotic surgery cost?

Dividing the total spending on robotic technology by the total number of robotic procedures performed in 2017 yielded a cost per procedure of $3568, with $1866 for instruments and accessories, $1038 for robot systems, and $663 for the service contract.

Do robotics improve outcomes?

The need for any type of surgery is a distressing prospect to most people, but robot assisted surgery brings many advantages to patients and can improve patient outcomes. Robotic surgery allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision, flexibility and control than conventional surgeries.

Can robotic surgery cause nerve damage?

Researchers found that nerve injuries potentially caused by side effects of robotic surgery affected nearly 7\% of patients who underwent robot-assisted urologic surgery. While most of the reported nerve damage resolved within one month after surgery, more than 20\% experienced problems that persisted beyond six months.

Is robotic spine surgery right for You?

Dr. Lieberman: Robotic spine surgery technology is most beneficial for complex revision surgery, where the anatomy may be distorted due to previous surgery. It’s also beneficial for deformity surgery where you have to predict the final shape of the spine and place screws in optimized locations to obtain the needed correction.

How has robotic spine technology evolved?

Dr. Lieberman: The initiation of robotic spine surgery technology was 18 years ago and has evolved through 3 generations, with substantial improvements along the way. Dr. Moshe Shoham and I authored the first grant for robotic spine surgery in 2000.

What is the role of a robot in surgery?

The robot is passive in that it does not do the surgery—the surgeon still performs the surgery much like the pilot of a plane still flies the plane. The robot’s role is to help the surgeon be more efficient and precise. How old is robotic spine surgery technology?

What are the indications for robotic-assisted spine surgery?

Dr. Lieberman: Any procedure where instrumentation (eg, screws) or implants need to be applied to the spine can be achieved using robotic spine technology. Also, robotic spine surgery may be used for any procedures where bone needs to be removed or cut from the spine. Are there particular patient indications for robotic-assisted spine surgery?