Frameless Robotic-Assisted Deep Brain Stimulation With the Mazor Renaissance System

Robotic-assisted stereotactic systems for deep brain stimulation (DBS) have recently gained popularity because of their abilities to automate arduous human error-prone steps for lead implantation. Recent DBS literature focuses on frame-based robotic platforms, but little has been reported on frameless robotic approaches, specifically the Food and Drug Administration-approved Mazor Renaissance Guidance System (Mazor Robotics Ltd).

To present an initial case series for patients undergoing awake DBS with the Mazor Renaissance Guidance System and evaluate operative variables and stereotactic accuracy.

Retrospective data collection at a single institution was conducted for an initial 35 consecutive patients. Patient demographics and operative variables, including case times, microelectrode recording passes, and postoperative complications, were obtained by chart review. Implant accuracy was evaluated through measuring radial and vector (x, y) errors using the Mazor software. Pneumocephalus volumes were calculated using immediate postoperative T1-weighted MRI scans.

Total operating room (245 ± 5.5 min) and procedural (179 ± 4.7) times were comparable with previous awake DBS literature. The radial error for center tract implants was 1.3 ± 0.1 mm, with smaller error in the first (1.1 ± 0.2) vs second (1.7 ± 0.3) implants of bilateral DBS (P = .048). Vector error analysis demonstrated larger shifts posteriorly for first implants and medially for second implants. Pneumocephalus volumes (12.4 ± 2.2 cm3) were not associated with increased microelectrode recording passes, radial error, or complications.

Frameless robotic-assisted DBS is a safe and efficient new technology that has been easily adopted into the workflow at our institution.