Our Summary

This study looks at the early use of a robotic system for spine surgery in a three-site medical center, and how the surgeons’ experience with the system affected the time it took to perform the surgeries and the number of surgeries they could do. The researchers looked back at the medical records of patients who had screws placed in their spines using the robot between September 2018 and October 2019.

They found that, out of the 77 patients, an average of two screws were placed in each patient’s spine. Each surgery took about 224 minutes on average, and patients lost about 100 mL of blood. However, as the surgeons got more comfortable using the robotic system, the time it took to do each surgery decreased significantly. They also found that the surgeons were able to do more surgeries each week as they got more experience with the system.

After surgery, patients stayed in the hospital for about two days. There were only two cases where a screw had to be fixed during the surgery, and none of the screws had to be fixed or caused complications after the surgery.

In conclusion, the early use of a robotic system for spine surgery at this medical center showed that the surgeons didn’t have to fix any screws after surgery, and there were no complications from screws being placed incorrectly. The time it took to do each surgery decreased as the surgeons did more surgeries with the robot, and they were able to do more surgeries each week over a short period of time.

FAQs

  1. What was the main objective of the study conducted on robotic spine surgery?
  2. Did the study find any complications related to screw placement in robotic spine surgery?
  3. How did the operative times change as the frequency of procedures increased?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about spinal surgery is to follow post-operative instructions carefully to optimize healing and minimize the risk of complications. This may include proper wound care, activity restrictions, and attending follow-up appointments as scheduled. It is also important to communicate any new or worsening symptoms to your healthcare provider promptly.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended spinal surgery include those who have:

  1. Severe back or neck pain that does not improve with conservative treatments such as physical therapy or medications
  2. Nerve compression or spinal cord compression causing symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs
  3. Degenerative conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or spondylolisthesis
  4. Spinal deformities such as scoliosis or kyphosis
  5. Traumatic injuries to the spine
  6. Tumors or infections affecting the spine

It is important for patients to undergo a thorough evaluation by a spine specialist to determine if they are suitable candidates for spinal surgery. Robotic spine surgery can offer more precise and accurate screw placement, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients undergoing spinal fusion procedures.

Timeline

Before spinal surgery:

  • Patient undergoes initial consultation with a spine surgeon to discuss treatment options
  • Patient undergoes preoperative testing, such as blood work and imaging studies
  • Patient may participate in physical therapy or other conservative treatments prior to surgery
  • Patient receives preoperative instructions and prepares for surgery, including fasting and stopping certain medications

After spinal surgery:

  • Patient is monitored closely in the recovery room immediately following surgery
  • Patient may stay in the hospital for a few days for observation and pain management
  • Patient gradually starts physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility
  • Patient follows up with the surgeon for postoperative appointments to monitor healing and address any concerns
  • Patient gradually resumes normal activities and may experience improvements in pain and function over time.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about spinal surgery include:

  1. What specific type of spinal surgery do I need and why?
  2. What are the risks and potential complications associated with this surgery?
  3. How experienced are you and your team in performing this type of spinal surgery?
  4. Will robotic guidance be used during the surgery, and what are the benefits of this technology?
  5. How long will the surgery take and what is the expected recovery time?
  6. What can I expect in terms of pain management and rehabilitation after the surgery?
  7. What are the potential long-term outcomes and success rates of this type of surgery?
  8. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that I should consider?
  9. How often do you perform this type of surgery, and what is your success rate?
  10. What are the steps I should take to prepare for the surgery and what should I expect during the recovery process?

Reference

Authors: Bydon M, Chen SG, Neal MD, Krishna C, Biedermann AJ, Paul TC, Yolcu YU, Goyal A, Bendok BR, Quinones-Hinojosa A, Spinner RJ, Meyer FB. Journal: Mayo Clin Proc. 2021 May;96(5):1193-1202. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.07.034. Epub 2020 Dec 28. PMID: 33384145