Opportunities and challenges for robotic-assisted spine surgery: feasible indications for the MAZOR™ X Stealth...

The clinical use of new technologies has several potential benefits including improved accuracy, precision and efficiency. Robotic assistance during surgery is one such technology and it is making its way into neurosurgical operating rooms with increasing frequency. The Mazor X^™ Stealth robot was first used in Canada for spine surgery during July 2022 and since then multiple indications for its use have been identified and evaluated.The outcomes of robot-assisted spine surgery have been promising but there is a lack of supportive studies which would serve to refine indications, establish protocols and disseminate practical information. To begin filling this gap we gathered a list of use-cases for which this new technology was successfully employed. In combination with cases that took place in our Centre, we reviewed the existing reported uses of the Mazor X^™ Stealth for spine surgery and recorded their respective procedures and outcomes for patients and surgeons.Through this review we identified common uses of the Mazor X^™ Stealth for spine surgery. Usage of robotic-assisted technology had a net positive impact on outcomes for patients as well as surgeons (e.g., improved accuracy of pedicle screw placement and reduced radiation burden). This curation remains a dynamic list, and we foresee the addition of more indications in the future.Clinical Relevance- Enabling the use of technology including robotic systems has the potential to attract clinical research expertise, reduce resource usage and to improve surgical outcomes.