Robot-assisted laminectomy in spinal surgery: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Spinal Surgery
• Robotics
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Robot-assisted laminectomy is an emerging technique in spinal surgery.
• Research has evolved from focusing on robotic systems to safety and control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and summarize the progress in robot-assisted laminectomy.
• To identify trends in robotic systems, bone cutting, and state recognition strategies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across multiple databases (IEEE Xplore, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, CNKI, CBM-SinoMed).
• Inclusion of 27 articles focusing on robotic-assisted laminectomy.

Main Results:

• Ten robotic systems were identified, with the Nathoo A type being most common.
• Bone cutting and state recognition strategies primarily utilize force, medical imaging, and sensor data.
• Research focus has shifted towards path planning and safety controls like state recognition.

Conclusions:

• Robot-assisted laminectomy research demonstrates increasing sophistication in system design and control.
• Current advancements allow for precise bone cutting, but clinical validation is pending.
• Further research is needed to translate in vitro findings to successful clinical applications.