Robot-assisted Anterior Odontoid Screw Fixation: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Robotics in Medicine

Background:

• Anterior odontoid screw fixation is effective for dens fractures but technically demanding, posing risks of screw malposition and vital structure damage.
• Navigation techniques enhance safety and accuracy, yet robot-assisted approaches for odontoid screw fixation remain unreported.

Observation:

• A 61-year-old woman with a type II dens fracture underwent anterior odontoid screw fixation.
• The procedure utilized a novel robotic system (TiRobot) for guidance.

Findings:

• The odontoid screw was placed safely and accurately, with a deviation of 0.9 mm between planned and actual positions.
• No intraoperative complications occurred, and the patient was discharged on postoperative Day 5.
• Two-week follow-up revealed favorable clinical and radiological outcomes.

Implications:

• This case report details the first successful robot-assisted anterior odontoid screw fixation.
• The TiRobot system shows potential to make complex spinal procedures more feasible, safe, and accurate.
• Robot-assisted surgery may offer improved outcomes for patients with dens fractures.