Corneal Transplant Surgery Assisted by a Microsurgical Robot

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Robotic Surgery
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Corneal transplantation is a common procedure, with nearly 30,000 penetrating keratoplasties performed annually worldwide.
• Current techniques rely on manual suturing under an operating microscope, which can be labor-intensive and variable.
• Existing microsurgical robots are primarily developed for vascular or nerve procedures, not yet approved for ophthalmic microsurgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and safety of using a microsurgical robot for penetrating keratoplasty in humans.
• To explore the potential of robotic assistance in improving precision and reproducibility in corneal transplantation.
• To introduce a novel robotic approach for a critical ophthalmic surgical procedure.

Main Methods:

• The study involved the first-in-human penetrating keratoplasty utilizing a microsurgical robot.
• The procedure was conducted as part of a pilot study (the GRACE study, NCT06844123) approved by health authorities.
• Manual suturing techniques were compared against the robotic approach for precision and reproducibility.

Main Results:

• The first human penetrating keratoplasty was successfully completed using a microsurgical robot.
• The robotic system demonstrated potential for enhanced precision and reproducibility in corneal suturing.
• The pilot study provided initial data on the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted corneal transplantation.

Conclusions:

• Robotic assistance represents a promising advancement for penetrating keratoplasty, potentially reducing invasiveness and improving outcomes.
• Further research and development are warranted to optimize robotic systems for ophthalmic microsurgery.
• This study paves the way for future robotic applications in corneal transplantation and other eye surgeries.