Robotic spine surgery: Technical note and descriptive analysis of the first 40 cases.

Abstract

Introduction: The global incidence of spinal pathology is increasing due to the progressive aging of the population and increased life expectancy. Vertebral fixation with transpedicular screws is the most commonly used technique in unstable or potentially unstable pathologies. There are different implantation methods, the most recently developed being implantation guided by robotic navigation.

Materials and methods: We describe the technical aspects and the different workflows available with the ExcelsiusGPS® robotic navigation system (GlobusMedical, Inc, Audubon, PA, USA), as well as the results of the first 40 patients operated on at the Hospital Universitario la Paz between July 2023 and February 2024.

Results: A total of 250 screws were implanted at the thoracic and lumbar levels. 12 patients underwent minimally invasive surgery (MIS) (30%) and 28 patients underwent open surgery (70%). The median number of screws implanted per patient was 6.00 (4.00-6.00). The intraoperative malpositioning rate was 2.5% (1 case). The median duration of surgery was 143.00minutes (113.00-165.50). The median hospital stay was 4.00 days (3.00-5.50). The median intraoperative radiation delivered was 899mGy/cm² (523.25-1595.00). The median blood loss was 150.00ml (100.00-300.00) and the blood transfusion rate was 0%.

Discussion: Compared to conventional techniques, Robotic spine surgery increases accuracy to 96-100% and reduces the radiation dose received by the patient and surgical team. In addition, it allows the implantation of larger screws, which has been associated with increased biomechanical strength and reduced risk of loosening. Initially, it may involve an increase in total surgical time, but this is reduced once the learning curve is reached, around 40 cases.

Conclusions: ExcelsiusGPS® is the most recent robot model on the market and different studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in different techniques and indications. Unlike other robotic systems used exclusively in dorsolumbar spine pathology, it can be used in the pathology of the entire spinal axis (from C1 to the sacrum) and brain pathology (deep electrode implantation, brain biopsy, SEEG, among others).