The current state of navigation in robotic spine surgery

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Robotics

Background:

• Pedicle screw instrumentation necessitates accurate image guidance for improved surgical outcomes.
• Fluoroscopy, while common, presents radiation exposure concerns, driving innovation in navigation technologies.
• Early robotic systems offered precision but lacked real-time control and were costly, limiting adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution of image guidance in spine surgery.
• To provide an overview of current navigated robotic spine surgery platforms.
• To discuss existing applications and future potential of these technologies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of image guidance technologies in spine surgery.
• Analysis of the development and features of navigated robotic platforms.
• Identification of currently available navigated robotic systems and their applications.

Main Results:

• Computer-assisted navigation evolved due to limitations of conventional methods.
• Non-navigated robots faced challenges with depth control and cost.
• Recent integration of 3D navigation with robotics has led to a resurgence in navigated robotic platforms.
• Key platforms include ROSA Spine Robot, ExcelsiusGPS®, Mazor X, and TiRobot.

Conclusions:

• Navigated robotic platforms represent a significant advancement in spine surgery.
• These systems offer enhanced accuracy and safety for pedicle screw placement.
• Further implementation and development hold promise for future spinal interventions.