The Impact of Robot-Assisted Electrode Insertion on Cochlear Implant Surgery Time: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery
• Medical Robotics

Background:

• Cochlear implantation (CI) is a crucial treatment for severe to profound hearing loss.
• Manual insertion of CI electrodes carries risks and variability.
• Robotic-assisted surgery offers potential for enhanced precision and control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare operative times between robotic-assisted and manual cochlear implantation (CI).
• To evaluate and compare audiometric outcomes following robotic-assisted versus manual CI.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of robotic assistance in CI procedures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study conducted at a tertiary academic center.
• Inclusion of patients undergoing CI between October 2022 and October 2024.
• Comparison of operative time and audiometric outcomes (speech perception, hearing thresholds) between robotic-assisted and manual CI groups.

Main Results:

• Fifty-one patients were analyzed (17 robotic-assisted, 34 manual); demographics were similar except for age.
• Operative time showed no statistically significant difference between robotic-assisted and manual CI (median increase of ~20 minutes).
• Both groups showed postoperative hearing improvement, with no significant differences in audiometric outcomes at 3, 6, or 12 months.

Conclusions:

• Robotic-assisted CI electrode insertion is associated with a minor, non-statistically significant increase in operative time.
• Audiometric outcomes were similar between robotic-assisted and manual CI at short-to-intermediate term follow-up.
• Robotic assistance presents a comparable alternative to manual insertion for cochlear implantation regarding functional results.