Description

Robotics is an exciting and emerging field in surgery, but in its infancy in spine surgery. In general surgery, colorectal surgery, urology and other branches of surgery robotics has developed into a significant part of the surgical armamentarium. In Spine surgery robotics has slowly developed. Despite that, there is increased use of robotics and we are at a stage when robotics are poised to develop into mainstream surgical aid. The editorial plan is as follows:
1. Historical/background perspective on robotics in spine surgery:
- Discuss origins of robotics in surgery; touch on development of the early telepresence devices, cardio/thoracic/abdo set ups, and eventual refinement into the more pertinent systems for spine surgery (i.e. Da Vinci, Mazor – Renaissance/SpineAssist).
- Discuss the major issues within spinal surgery (e.g. pedicle screw inaccuracy and associated complications, high rates of radiation exposure during intraoperative fluoroscopy) and note some of the most prominent studies that have shown beneficial results of robot-assisted surgery.
- Discuss the rapid progression in ergonomics/optimization, imaging and software incorporated with the surgical system.

2. Current practices, beneficial aspects, limitations.
Current practices:
- Pedicle screw insertion (e.g. percutaneous)
- Applied in both PLIF and TLIF approaches with cage implantation and de-compression of the spinal channel by laminotomy or laminectomy.
- Surgical resection of the spinal column/intradural tumors, cases of infection, revision procedures on arthrodesed spines, deformity cases with malformed anatomy.