The Current Role of Robotic Technology in Spine Surgery

Robotic technology is widely used in manufacturing, industry and some surgical applications, such as urological or joint replacement surgery. Its role in spine surgery is currently in (1) optimizing accuracy of instrumentation placement, most notably pedicle screws, and, (2) diminishing radiation exposure during surgical procedures. Pedicle screw placement can be achieved through a variety of techniques (freehand, fluoroscopy assisted, computer assisted, and robotically guided). Comparing the accuracy rates of these various techniques can be challenging as there is heterogeneity among the skill of surgeons using these methods. However, the literature suggests that the accuracy of robotic guidance of screw placement is at least comparable to other known techniques and some reports have suggested higher accuracy rates when using robotic technology. Though robotic technology in spine surgery is currently still in its nascency, there is great potential for other surgical applications including active automated instrumentation.