Evaluating the Learning Curve and Surgical Efficacy in the Novel Robotic-Assisted Muscle-Preserving (RAMP) Spinal...

Area of Science:

• Spine Surgery
• Robotic Surgery
• Surgical Techniques

Background:

• Robotic-assisted surgery offers potential for enhanced precision.
• Muscle-preserving techniques are crucial for minimizing surgical trauma.
• Evaluating surgeon experience is key to adopting new robotic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the accuracy and efficiency of robotic-assisted muscle-preserving (RAMP) decompression between surgeons with and without prior robotic experience.
• To assess the learning curve associated with RAMP decompression.

Main Methods:

• Comparative cadaveric validation study.
• RAMP decompressions performed from T8-L5 in 8 cadavers by a non-fellowship-trained surgeon (NFTS) and a fellowship-trained surgeon (FTS).
• Preoperative and postoperative CT imaging used for planning, registration, accuracy assessment, and anterior cortical bone removal (ACBR) quantification.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in operative times or decompression accuracy between NFTS and FTS.
• Submillimeter deviation from planned margins observed in both groups.
• Operative times decreased with experience for both surgeons, indicating a learning curve.

Conclusions:

• RAMP decompression demonstrates high accuracy and efficiency, irrespective of prior robotic surgical experience.
• The study supports the integration of RAMP decompression into robotic surgical workflows.
• Findings suggest broader applicability of precise, muscle-preserving techniques in spine surgery.