Facial Nerve Repair Using a Microsurgical Robot System: A Preclinical Study Using a Rat Model

Area of Science:

• Microsurgery
• Robotic Surgery
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Robot-assisted surgery is expanding into supermicrosurgical applications.
• Previous success in vascular anastomoses indicates potential for finer surgical tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a surgical assistant robot for facial nerve neurorrhaphy in a rat model.
• To compare robotic performance against conventional manual microsuturing.

Main Methods:

• Facial nerve coaptation was performed on rats using manual suturing (hand group) or a microsurgical robotic system (robot group).
• Evaluations included suture time, immediate repair continuity, and histological continuity at 14 weeks.
• Functional recovery was assessed via whisker movement and neural tracing.

Main Results:

• A single surgeon could perform the robotic procedure unassisted.
• Robot-repaired nerves as small as 0.8mm were successfully sutured.
• Comparable suture times were achieved by the robot group after initial learning.
• No significant differences in functional or morphological outcomes were found between groups at 14 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Surgical assistant robots can reliably suture small-diameter rat facial nerves.
• Robotic neurorrhaphy yields outcomes equivalent to manual coaptation.
• Findings support robotic systems for trauma and nerve reconstruction, extending supermicrosurgery to peripheral nerve repair.