Zefferino Rossini, MD, et.al published the article “Minimally invasive microsurgical decompression of the lumbar spine using a novel robotised digital microscope: A preliminary experience“ in the January Edition of the International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery.
They discuss their experience of minimally invasive lumbar spinal canal decompression with the use of the RoboticScope in November and March 2021 with a small group of patients with cranial and spinal disorders.
Two objectives were pursued:
- The main objective was to evaluate the surgeon's ergonomics and freedom of movement, image quality and depth perception, as well as the duration of surgery.
- The secondary objective was to evaluate the occurrence of complications and postoperative pain reduction.
For this purpose, all participating patients underwent neurological and radiological examinations at discharge and three months after surgery.
The results were compared with a control group consisting of 11 cases in which Dr. Rossini operated with a surgical microscope.
During none of the operations with the RoboticScope the surgical team had to switch to the surgical microscope, and no intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded. (cf. Rossini et al, 2023)
Conclusio
For Dr. Rossini and his team, the biggest advantage of the RoboticScope is that it allows the surgeon to maintain a neutral posture during the surgery, thereby improving the surgeon's ergonomics while maintaining stereoscopic vision and good image quality.Another advantage of the RoboticScope that Dr. Rossini and his team identify is that the hands-free movement of the camera, and the change of field of view, does not interrupt the surgical procedure.
The surgeon’s comfort is increased during deep field procedures with difficult working angles with the RoboticScope due to its excellent ergonomics, ease of manoeuvrability and high image quality. (cf. Rossini et al, 2023)