Minimally-Invasive Assisted Robotic Spine Surgery (MARSS)

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Surgical Robotics

Background:

• Minimally-Invasive Robotic Spine Surgery (MARSS) has become a significant advancement in treating spinal disorders.
• Robotic technology has demonstrably improved the safety, accuracy, and efficacy of spinal instrumentation placement over the past decade.
• Robotic instruments enable minimally invasive access for tumor removal in challenging spinal locations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development and technological advancements in MARSS.
• To present case studies utilizing MARSS for spinal pathology treatment.
• To highlight the translation of gross surgeon movements into precise robotic actions.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on robotic advancements in spine surgery.
• Analysis of case studies involving MARSS for spinal tumor removal (e.g., apical thoracic tumors) using systems like the da Vinci robot.
• Discussion of the principles of robotic-assisted surgical movements.

Main Results:

• Robotic assistance enhances precision in instrumentation placement.
• MARSS facilitates minimally invasive tumor resection in difficult spinal regions.
• The da Vinci robot exemplifies the translation of surgeon's movements into micro-precise actions.

Conclusions:

• MARSS represents a significant evolution in spine surgery, offering enhanced precision and safety.
• Robotic technology is crucial for improving outcomes in complex spinal procedures, including tumor removal.
• Continued development in MARSS promises further advancements in minimally invasive spine care.