Turkish Neurosurgery 2023 , Vol 33 , Num 2
Extreme Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery with a Robot-Assisted System in a Swine Model
Gurkan BERIKOL,Abuzer GUNGOR,Mehmet Berke GOZTEPE,Baris OZONER,Selim AYHAN,Ebubekir AKPINAR,Cagri CANBOLAT,Mehmet Emin AKSOY,Murat Sakir EKSI
1Taksim Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
2Istanbul Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Psychiatric and Nervous Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
3Akdeniz University, School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
4Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
5Baskent University School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey
6Memorial Hizmet Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
7Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Vocational School of Health Services, Department of Biomedical Device Technologies, Istanbul, Turkey
8Yeditepe University, School of Medicine, Neurosurgery Research Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.37409-21.3 AIM: To evaluate the technical aspects of the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System in minimally invasive extreme lateral lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF) surgery in a swine model.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Endoscopic discectomy and XLIF cage insertion were performed using a robot-assisted system. The time taken and the pros and cons of each steps were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 4 ports were used for the surgical access; one for the camera, two for bipolar forcepses, and one auxiliary port for modified discectomy. Punch and curette were used for discectomy. The cage was inserted through the auxiliary port. Cage position was manipulated and checked by using the C-arm fluoroscopy. The operative time was 80 minutes. No complications or cage malposition was noted throughout the procedure.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that the robot-assisted XLIF approach is safe and feasible, and helps to protect the neurovascular structures. Moreover, a high image quality was also obtained during the procedure. Keywords : Robotic surgical procedures, Spinal fusion, Discectomy, Spine

Corresponding author : Gurkan BERIKOL, dr.berikol@gmail.com