Robotic-Assisted Lumbar Fusion: An Effective Technique for Pedicle Screw Placement

Degenerative lumbar disease is a common condition in which progressive deterioration of the structures in the spine causes severely incapacitating pain and disability. Conservative management, including passive or active physical therapy, activity modification, and medications (eg, anti-inflammatory medications, oral and injectable steroids, opioids), may provide relief. However, when conservative management is unsuccessful or patients experience symptoms for an extended period of time, they may require spine surgery. Surgeons use a variety of techniques to perform lumbar fusion procedures with instrumentation, including open, percutaneous, minimally invasive, and robotic-assisted with navigation. The accuracy of pedicle-screw placement varies according to the technique used, and accuracy rates are high after robotic-assisted with navigation procedures. In addition, robotic-assisted spine procedures result in fewer infections than non-robotic-assisted spine procedures (P = .04). Perioperative nurses should understand basic lumbar spine anatomy, steps completed during robotic-assisted lumbar spine surgery, and the nursing considerations for patients undergoing this type of procedure.