This study reports the first successful clinical application of a robotic-assisted system in transcatheter balloon-expandable aortic valve implantation using the Edwards SAPIEN 3 valve. Two male patients, aged 60 and 63 years, respectively, presented with severe aortic stenosis confirmed by echocardiography and computed tomography, showing significant valvular calcification and elevated transvalvular pressure gradients, meeting the indications for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Both procedures were performed via the right femoral artery using a robotic-assisted delivery and positioning system developed by Shanghai Surgerii Medical Technology Co., Ltd. The operator controlled the delivery system and valve positioning precisely through the console, while the assistant performed balloon expansion and valve deployment. Both procedures were completed successfully without intraoperative complications. The operative times were 75 minutes and 67 minutes, with fluoroscopy times of 16 minutes and 23 minutes, and radiation doses of 714 mGy and 971 mGy, respectively. Postoperative echocardiography demonstrated well-functioning prosthetic valves, with mean transvalvular pressure gradients of 3.9 mm Hg and 8.0 mm Hg, and none or trivial paravalvular leakage. No coronary obstruction, conduction disturbance, or vascular complications were observed. This report represents the world’s first clinical use of a robotic-assisted system for balloon-expandable TAVI. It confirms the feasibility and safety of robotic assistance in transcatheter valve delivery and positioning, offering a new approach to enhance procedural precision and stability, and providing valuable insights for the future development of intelligent, minimally invasive therapies for structural heart disease.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgeries are the trend in the future. Among them, robotic cardiac surgery is the latest iteration with several key-hole incision, 3-dimentional visualization, and articulated instrumentation of 7 degree of ergonomic freedom for those complex procedures in the heart. In particular, robotic mitral valve surgery, as well as coronary artery bypass grafting, has evolved over the last decade and become the preferred method at certain specialized centers worldwide because of excellent results. Other cardiac procedures are in various stages of evolution. Stepwise innovation of robotic technology will continue to make robotic operations simpler, more efficient, and less invasive, which will encourage more surgeons to take up this technology and extend the benefits of robotic surgery to a larger patient population.
Objective To explore effectiveness of TiRobot-assisted screw implantation in the treatment of coracoid process fractures of the scapula. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data from 24 patients with coracoid process fractures of the scapula admitted between September 2019 and January 2024 and met selection criteria. Among them, 12 patients underwent TiRobot-assisted screw implantation (robot group) and 12 underwent manual screw implantation (control group) during internal fixation. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in baseline data such as gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, cause of injury, coracoid process fracture classification, and proportion of patients with associated injuries between the two groups. The incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, accuracy of screw placement, coracoid process fracture healing time, and complications were recorded and compared, as well as pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Constant-Murley score at last follow-up. ResultsThe intraoperative blood loss and incision length in the robot group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference in operation time and hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 8-27 months (mean, 17.5 months), and the difference in follow-up time between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the VAS score for shoulder pain in the robot group was signifncatly lower compared to the control group, and the Constant-Murley score was significantly higher (P<0.05). In the robot group, 16 screws were implanted intraoperatively, while 13 screws were implanted in the control group. Radiographic re-evaluation showed that the excellent and good rate of screw implantation was higher in the robot group (93.8%, 15/16) than in the control group (61.5%, 8/13), but the difference in the precision of screw implantation between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). Four patients in the robot group and 1 in the control group achieved double screws fixation; however, the difference in achieving double screws fixation between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). All fractures healed in both groups with 1 case of malunion in the control group. There was no significant difference in healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). During follow-up, 1 patient in the control group experienced screw loosening and displacement. There was no significant difference in the incidence of screw loosening and fracture malunion between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with manual screw implantation, TiRobot-assisted minimally invasive treatment of coracoid process fractures of the scapula can reduce intraoperative blood loss, shorten incision length, alleviate pain, and obtain better promote shoulder joint functional recovery.
Objective To conduct a systematic bibliometric analysis of recent research on robot-assisted orthopedic surgery, in order to reveal the research trends, hotspots, main contributors, and future development directions in this field. Methods On August 27, 2024, WoSCC (Web of Science Core Collection Database) was searched and relevant literature on robot-assisted orthopedic surgery from 2003 to 2023 was included. Excel 2016, VOSviewer (version 1.6.10), and CiteSpace (version 6.2.R6) were used for data collection and analysis. Results The total citation frequency of 1718 retrieved literature was 28978 times, with an average citation frequency of 16.87 times per article. The total citation frequency of articles in 2019 was the highest (4330 times), and the publication volume in 2023 was the highest (315 articles). Among the top 5 countries in terms of publication volume, the United States had the highest publication volume and total citation frequency, while China ranked second in terms of publication volume, but had the lowest average citation frequency per article. Analysis of cooperation between countries showed that the United States, China, Germany, and other countries had the most cooperation. Babar Kayani’s articles were cited the most frequently. Among the top 10 institutions in terms of publication volume, the Hospital for Special Surgery (United States) had the highest publication volume, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (United States) had the highest total citation frequency for publications, and the average citation frequency of each article published by the University of Pittsburgh (United States) was the highest. The dynamic evolution of research hotspots suggested that early research mainly focused on the combination of traditional surgical techniques and navigation, while in recent years, research had mainly focused on computer-aided surgery, augmented reality, and medical robotics technology. Conclusions In recent years, significant progress has been made in the research of robot-assisted orthopedic surgery, with the United States taking a leading position in this field and having extensive global cooperation. Research hotspots show that with the continuous development of computer-aided surgery, augmented reality, and robotics technology, the field of orthopedic surgery is evolving towards more precise, individualized, and minimally invasive directions.
Objective?To approach feasibility, safety, and the application range of pure laparoscopic resection （PLR）, hand-assisted laparoscopic resection （HALR）, and robotic liver resection （RLR） in the minimally invasive liver resection （MILR）. Methods?The clinical data of 128 patients underwent MILR in the Surgical Department of the Shanghai Ruijin Hospital from September 2004 to January 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the different methods, the patients were divided into PLR group, HALR group, and RLR group. The intraoperative findings and postoperative recovery of patients in three groups were compared.?Results?There were 82 cases in PLR group, 3 cases of which were transferred to open surgery；the mean operating time was （145.4±54.4） minutes （range：40-290 minutes）；the mean blood loss was （249.3±255.7） ml （range：30-1 500 ml）；abdominal infection was found in 3 cases and biliary fistula in 5 cases after operation, but all recovered after conservative treatment；the mean length of hospital stay was （7.1±3.8） days （range：2-34 days）. There were 35 cases in HALR group, 3 cases of which were transferred to open surgery；the mean operating time was （182.7±59.2） minutes （range：60-300 minutes）；the mean blood loss was （754.3±785.2） ml （range：50-3 000 ml）；abdominal infection was found in 1 case, biliary fistula in 2 cases, and operative incision infection in 2 cases after operation, but all recovered after conservative treatment；the mean length of hospital stay was （15.4±3.7） days （range：12-30 days）. There were 11 cases in RLR group, 2 cases of which were transferred to open surgery； the mean operating time was （129.5±33.5） minutes （range：120-200 minutes）； the mean blood loss was （424.5±657.5） ml （range：50-5 000 ml）； abdominal infection was found in 1 case and biliary fistula in 1 case after operation, but all recovered after conservative treatment； the mean length of hospital stay was （6.4±1.6） days （range：5-9 days）. The operating time （P=0.001） and length of hospital stay （P=0.000） of the RLR group were shortest and the blood loss （P=0.000） of the PLR group was least among three groups. Conclusions?Minimally invasive resection is a safe and feasible. Different surgical procedures should be chosen according to different cases. The robotic liver resection provides new development for treatment of liver tumor.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and advantage of the da Vinci S Surgical System in operation of the mediastinal tumor without chest tube. MethodsFrom March 2011 up to March 2015, 39 patients in our hospital with mediastinal tumor underwent resection without a chest tube by da Vinci System were as a no chest tube group with 24 males and 15 females at age of 47.28 (18-73) years. In the same period, 50 patients with mediastinal cyst underwent resection with a chest tube insertion by da Vinci System were as a chest tube group with 25 males and 25 females at age of 49.24 (22-82) years. Clinical data of the two groups were collected and compared. ResultThere were statistical differences in mean operative time (61.97±16.41min vs. 79.90±33.19 min, P=0.003), time of ICU stay (1.23±0.48 d vs. 2.16±0.82 d, P=0.000), time of postoperative hospitalization (3.77±1.16 d vs. 5.62±2.22 d, P=0.000), and visual analogue scale (VAS) score (3.05±1.76 vs. 4.54±1.83). The clinical results in the no chest tube group were better than those in the chest tube group. All the procedures were successfully completed by da Vinci System in all the patients without conversions and any compilcation. ConclusionIt's safe and beneficial for patients without a chest tube after a mediastinal tumor resection with da Vinci S Surgical System with shorter hospital stay.
ObjectiveTo study the early out-of-bed activities of patients after Mako robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty.MethodsWe prospectively included inpatients planned to undergo primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty in the Department of Orthopaedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from April to July 2020. Using a randomized numerical table, the patients were divided into trial group to undergo robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty and control group to undergo traditional total hip arthroplasty, and both groups received the same nursing measures and instructions for training to get out of bed after surgery. Postoperative active pain (assessed with Visual Analogue Scale), the proportion of patients willing to get out of bed within 24 h after surgery, the time and duration for the first out of bed activity, the proportion of patients with a walking distance ≥5 m for first activity, and the level of activity in the first 3 d after surgery between the two groups were compared.ResultsA total of 38 patients were included in this study, with 17 patients in the trial group and 21 patients in the control group. There was no statistical significance in the baseline demographics between the two groups (P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in postoperative 6-hour and 24-hour Visual Analogue Scale scores between the two groups (P<0.05). Two hours after oral administration of perioperative energy preparations on the day of surgery, the proportion of patients who were willing to get out of bed early in the trial group was higher than that in the control group (100.0% vs. 57.1%, P<0.05). The first time to get out of bed ［(4.39±0.17) vs. (8.74±4.70) h］, the duration of getting out of bed ［(10.89±3.60) vs. (8.37±3.31) h］, and the proportion of patients with a walking distance ≥5 m for first activity (94.1% vs. 61.9%) were better than those of the control group (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the trial group and the control group in the average level in the first 3 days after surgery, postoperative first-day level, and postoperative second-day level of getting out of bed (P<0.05). There were no falls, dislocation of the prosthesis, fractures around the prosthesis, or deep vein thrombosis in the two groups of patients during their hospitalization.ConclusionThe precise surgery method with the help of Mako orthopedic robot-assisted system can help promote patients to get out of bed early after surgery, and can providea reference for how to improve the rehabilitation of patients after traditional total hip replacement in the future.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 79 patients with robotassisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy in our hospital from August 2010 to June 2015. There were 43 males and 36 females at average age of 62 years. The clinical effect was analyzed. ResultsThe mean operation time was 245 min (range 170 min to 330 min). The mean blood loss was 75 ml (range 20 ml to 310 ml). The mean hospital stay was 10.2 days (range 7 days to 26 days). Two perioperative deaths occurred. A total of 14 (17.7%) patients with complication were reported. Mean lymph node harvest was 20.7 nodes with 10.9 in chest, 9.6 in abdomen. ConclusionRobot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy is technically feasible and safe. It is expected to reduce surgical trauma and reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of robotic intersphincteric resection (ISR) for rectal cancer.MethodsA literature search was performed using the China biomedical literature database, Chinese CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library. The retrieval time was from the establishment of databases to April 1, 2019. Related interest indicators were brought into meta-analysis by Review Manager 5.2 software.ResultsA total of 510 patients were included in 5 studies, including 273 patients in the robot group and 237 patients in the laparoscopic group. As compared to the laparoscopic group, the robot group had significantly longer operative time [MD=43.27, 95%CI (16.48, 70.07), P=0.002], less blood loss [MD=–19.98.27, 95%CI (–33.14, –6.81), P=0.003], lower conversion rate [MD=0.20, 95%CI (0.04, –0.95), P=0.04], less lymph node harvest [MD=–1.71, 95%CI (–3.21, –0.21), P=0.03] and shorter hospital stay [MD=–1.61, 95%CI (–2.26, –0.97), P<0.000 01]. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the first flatus [MD=–0.01, 95%CI (–0.48, 0.46), P=0.96], time to diet [MD=–0.20, 95%CI (–0.67, 0.27), P=0.41], incidence of complications [OR=0.76, 95%CI (0.50, 1.14), P=0.18], distal resection margin [MD=0.00, 95%CI (–0.17, 0.17), P=0.98] and positive rate of circumferential resection margin [OR=0.61, 95%CI (0.27, 1.37), P=0.23].ConclusionsRobotic and laparoscopic ISR for rectal cancer shows comparable perioperative outcomes. Compared with laparoscopic ISR, robotic ISR has the advantages of less blood loss, lower conversion rate, and longer operation times. These findings suggest that robotic ISR is a safe and effective technique for treating low rectal cancer.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the application of stereotactic electrode implantation on precise epileptogenic zone localization. MethodRetrospectively studied 140 patients with drug-resist epilepsy from March 2012 to June 2015, who undergone a procedure of intracranial stereotactic electrode for localized epileptogenic zone. ResultsIn 140 patients who underwent the ROSA navigated implantation of intracranial electrode, 109 are unilateral implantation, 31 are bilateral; 3 patients experienced an intracranial hematoma caused by the implantation. Preserved time of electrodes, on average, 8.4days (range 2~35 days); Obseved clinical seizures, on average, 10.8 times per pt (range 0~98 times); There were no cerebrospinal fluid leak, intracranial hematoma, electrodes fracture or patient death, except 2 pt's scalp infection (1.43%, scalp infection rate); 131 pts' seizure onset area was precisely localized; 71 pts underwent SEEG-guide resections and were followed up for more than 6 months. In the group of 71 resection pts, 56 pts were reached Engel I class, 2 were Engel Ⅱ, 3 was Engel Ⅲ and 10 were Engel IV class. ConclusionTo intractable epilepsy, when non-invasive assessments can't find the epileptogenic foci, intracranial electrode implantation combined with long-term VEEG is an effective method to localize the epileptogenic foci, especially the ROSA navigated stereotactic electrode implantation, which is a micro-invasive, short-time, less-complication, safe-guaranteed, and precise technique.