Objective To evaluate the early effectiveness of navigation-free robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to traditional TKA in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities. Methods The clinical data of 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities who met the selection criteria between June 2019 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifteen patients underwent CORI navigation-free robot-assisted TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (robot group) and 15 patients underwent traditional TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (traditional group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, affected knee side, extra-articular deformity angle, deformity position, deformity type, and preoperative knee range of motion, American Knee Society (KSS) knee score and KSS function score, and lower limb alignment deviation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications of the two groups were recorded and compared. The knee range of motion and lower limb alignment deviation were recorded before operation and at 6 months after operation, and the knee joint function was evaluated by KSS knee score and function score. Results There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups (P>0.05); the intraoperative blood loss in the robot group was significantly less than that in the traditional group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 8.7 months. The incisions of all patients healed well, and there was no postoperative complication such as thrombosis or infection. At 6 months after operation, X-ray examination showed that the position of the prosthesis was good in both groups, and there was no loosening or dislocation of the prosthesis. The knee joint range of motion, the lower limb alignment deviation, and the KSS knee score and KSS function score significantly improved in both groups (P<0.05) compared to preoperative ones. The changes of lower limb alignment deviation and KSS function score between pre- and post-operation in the robot group were significantly better than those in the traditional group (P<0.05), while the changes of other indicators between pre- and post-operation in the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared to traditional TKA, navigation-free robot-assisted TKA for knee osteoarthritis with extra-articular deformities results in less intraoperative blood loss, more precise reconstruction of lower limb alignment, and better early effectiveness. However, long-term effectiveness require further investigation.
To explore the feasibility of applying magnetic stimulation technology to the movement control of animal robots, the influence of coil radius, number of turns and other factors on the intensity, depth and focus of magnetic stimulation was simulated and analyzed for robot pigeons. The coil design scheme was proposed. The coil was placed on the head and one of the legs of the pigeon, and the leg electromyography (EMG) was recorded when magnetic stimulation was performed. Results showed that the EMG was significantly strengthened during magnetic stimulation. With the reduction of the output frequency of the magnetic stimulation system, the output current was increased and the EMG was enhanced accordingly. Compared with the brain magnetic stimulation, sciatic nerve stimulation produced a more significant EMG enhancement response. This indicated that the magnetic stimulation system could effectively modulate the functions of brain and peripheral nerves by driving the coil. This study provides theoretical and experimental guidance for the subsequent optimization and improvement of practical coils, and lays a preliminary theoretical and experimental foundation for the implementation of magnetic stimulation motion control of animal robots.
Objective To investigate the clinical application of da Vinci surgical system in nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) and immediate one-stage implant-based breast reconstruction. Methods Five cases of breast cancer who underwent NSM and immediate implant-based breast reconstruction were analyzed from March 2022 to April 2022. Evaluation endpoints included the key points of operation, duration of surgery, postoperative complications, and patient-reported outcomes. Results Two patients underwent implant-based postpectoral breast reconstruction without mesh. Three patients received prepectoral reconstruction with biological mesh, 2 of which underwent bilateral breast reconstruction. Operating duration of 5 patients was 240–320 min, with an average of 291 min. The blood loss was 10–30 mL, with an average of 18 mL. No patient switched to open surgery due to the uncontrolled bleeding. The average drainage volume was 78 mL/d (60–100 mL/d) in the first 3 days and 38 mL/d (30–50 mL/d) in the 3 to 7 days after operation. The drainage tube was removed 10–18 days after operation, with an average of 13.2 days. No postoperative infections or nipple-areolar complex necrosis were observed. The inpatient stay was 1–3 days, with an average of 1.8 days. One month after operation, the BREAST-Q satisfaction score was 64–82, with an average of 76.20. The average cost for operation was 45 072 RMB (43 420–47 524 RMB). Conclusions The robotic NSM and immediate one-stage implant-based breast reconstruction is a safe procedure with better clinical outcomes and favorable patients’ satisfaction. However, the robotic system has longer operation time and higher cost. It still needs to be personalized in the clinical practice.
This review systematically traces the two-decade evolution of bariatric and metabolic surgery. The high recidivism rate associated with conventional obesity treatments have driven rapid innovation in therapeutic strategies and simultaneously accelerated progress in the surgical management of metabolic diseases. The application of laparoscopic and robotic technologies has not only improved cosmetic outcomes through smaller incisions but also significantly enhanced operational precision, further promoting the adoption and dissemination of surgical interventions. Over time, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass have become the mainstream procedures. Recent research has demonstrated that metabolic surgery mediates its benefits through reprogramming of the neuroendocrine axis, restructuring of the gut microbiota ecosystem, and activation of bile acid signaling pathways. Future efforts should focus on refining long-term complication management protocols and developing individualized prediction models. By utilizing precise phenotyping to optimize procedure selection and implement stratified technical approaches, the field aims to achieve sustained metabolic health.
ObjectiveTo investigate the accuracy, safety, and short-term effectiveness of a domestic robot-assisted system in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Methods Between December 2021 and February 2023, 138 patients with knee osteoarthritis who received TKA in 5 clinical centers were prospectively collected, and 134 patients met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either a trial group (n=68) or a control group (n=66). Seven patients had lost follow-up and missing data, so they were excluded and the remaining 127 patients were included for analysis, including 66 patients in the trial group and 61 patients in the control group. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in gender, age, body mass index, side, duration of osteoarthritis, Kellgren-Lawrence grading, preoperative Knee Society Score (KSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score between the two groups. The trial group completed the TKA by domestic robot-assisted osteotomy according to the preoperative CT-based surgical planning. The control group was performed by traditional osteotomy plate combined with soft tissue release. Total operation time, osteotomy time of femoral/tibial side, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The radiographs were taken at 5 and 90 days after operation, and hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), lateral distal angle of femur (LDFA), and posterior tibial slope (PTS) were measured. The difference between the measured values of the above indexes at two time points after operation and the preoperative planning target values was calculated, and the absolute value (absolute error) was taken for comparison between the two groups. The postoperative recovery of lower limb alignment was judged and the accuracy was calculated. KSS score and WOMAC score were used to evaluate the knee joint function of patients before operation and at 90 days after operation. The improvement rates of KSS score and WOMAC score were calculated. The function, stability, and convenience of the robot-assisted system were evaluated by the surgeons. ResultsThe total operation time and femoral osteotomy time of the trial group were significantly longer than those of the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the tibial osteotomy time and the amount of intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05). The incisions of both groups healed by first intention after operation, and there was no infection around the prosthesis. Nine patients in the trial group and 8 in the control group developed lower extremity vascular thrombosis, all of which were calf intermuscular venous thrombosis, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 90 days. There was no significant difference in KSS score and WOMAC score between the two groups at 90 days after operation (P>0.05). There was significant difference in the improvement rate of KSS score between the two groups (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the improvement rate of WOMAC score between the two groups (P>0.05). Radiological results showed that the absolute errors of HKA and LDFA in the trial group were significantly smaller than those in the control group at 5 and 90 days after operation (P<0.05), and the recovery accuracy of lower limb alignment was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The absolute error of PTS in the trial group was significantly smaller than that in the control group at 5 days after operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at 90 days between the two groups (P>0.05). The functional satisfaction rate of the robot-assisted system was 98.5% (65/66), and the satisfaction rates of stability and convenience were 100% (66/66). ConclusionDomestic robot-assisted TKA is a safe and effective surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis, which can achieve favorable lower limb alignment reconstruction, precise implant of prosthesis, and satisfactory functional recovery.
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in pulmonary function after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) segmentectomy.MethodsA total of 59 patients (30 males and 29 females) who underwent segmentectomy in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from July to October 2017 were included. There were 33 patients (18 males and 15 females) in the VATS group and 26 patients (12 males and 14 females) in the RATS group. Lung function tests were performed before surgery, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Intra- and inter-group comparisons of lung function retention values were performed between the two groups of patients to analyze differences in lung function retention after VATS and RATS segmentectomy.ResultsThe forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in the VATS group and the RATS group were significantly lower than those before surgery (P<0.05), and they increased significantly within 6 months after surgery (P<0.05). The recovery was not obvious after 6 months (P>0.05), and they were still lower than those before surgery. In addition, the retentions of FEV1 and FVC in the VATS group and the RATS group were similar in 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after operation with no statistical difference(P>0.05). ConclusionPulmonary function decreases significantly in 1 month after minimally invasive segmentectomy, and the recovery is obvious in 6 months after the operation, then the pulmonary function recovery gradually stabilizes 12 months after surgery. FEV1 of the patients in the two groups recovers to 93% and 94%, respectively. There is no statistical difference in pulmonary function retention after VATS and RATS segmentectomy.
ObjectiveTo understand the psychological pressure when the surgeon-in-chief remotely completes animal surgery using home-made Tumai surgical robot in combination with 5G network (Abbreviated as“remote robotic surgery” ), and investigate and analyze the sources of psychological pressure, and then provide evidence guidance for the training of surgeon in performing remote robotic surgery. MethodsA modified perceptual stress scale was used to conduct a questionnaire survey. The 44 surgeons-in-chief with robot operation qualification from 10 medical units in the Gansu Province recruited by Gansu Provincial People’s Hospital were as observation subject, who participated in the psychological stress validation test of remote robotic surgery, from September 4, 2022 to October 10, 2022. The difference of psychological stress before and after the test was compared. The stressor of surgeon-in-chief was analyzed by Likert scale. The animals in this study were swines. ResultsA total of 132 valid questionnaires were obtained from 44 surgeons-in-chief. The surgical physician’s perceived stress score after the test was statistically higher than before the test [(47.50±9.06) points vs. (38.34±5.55) points, mean difference and its 95% confidence interval=9.61 (7.00, 12.27), t=7.42, P<0.001]. The analysis results of multiple linear regression showed that the number of robotic surgery performed by the surgeon-in-chief in the past had a negative impact on the psychological pressure of the surgeon-in-chief after the test (β=–0.292, P=0.042); At the same time, the subjective perception data of the surgeon-in-chief, such as unstability of signal transmission and unskilled equipment manipulation by the surgeon had positive impacts on the psychological pressure of the surgeon-in-chief after the test (β=1.987, P=0.026; β=3.184, P=0.010), and the tacit understanding between the surgeon-in-chief and the first assistant had a negative impact on the psychological pressure of the surgeon-in-chief after the test (β=–2.185, P=0.047). ConclusionsAccording to the data from this study, remote robotic surgery will increase the psychological pressure of the surgeon-in-chief. Previous experience in robotic surgery can reduce psychological stress after surgery. The main sources of psychological pressure are unstability of signal transmission, unskilled equipment manipulation by the surgeon, and the tacit understanding between the surgeon-in-chief and the first assistant.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of spinal robot-assisted pedicle screw placement through different surgical approaches and to guide the clinical selection of appropriate robot-assisted surgical approaches. MethodsThe clinical data of 14 patients with thoracolumbar vertebral diseases who met the selection criteria between January 2023 and August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and all of them underwent pedicle screw placement under assistant of the Mazor X spinal surgery robot through different surgical approaches. The patients were divided into posterior median approach (PMA) group (n=6) and intermuscular approach (IMA) group (n=8) according to the surgical approaches, and there was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, disease type, and fixed segment between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, screw-related complications, and reoperation rate were recorded and compared between the two groups; the inclination angle of the screw, the distance between the screw and the midline, and the caudal inclination angle of the screw were measured based on X-ray films at immediate after operation. Results There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no screw-related complication such as nerve injury in both groups, and no patients underwent secondary surgery. At immediate after operation, the inclination angle of the screw, the distance between the screw and the midline, and the caudal inclination angle of the screw in the IMA group were significantly greater than those in the PMA group (P<0.05). ConclusionThere are differences in the position and inclination angle of screws placed with robot-assisted surgery through different surgical approaches, which may be due to the obstruction of the screw path by soft tissues such as skin and muscles. When using spinal robot-assisted surgery, selecting the appropriate surgical approach for different diseases can make the treatment more reasonable and effective.
Endoscopic and robotic surgeries feature small incision and reducing surgical trauma, and minimized incision scars. However, the oncological safety of their application in breast-conserving surgery and breast reconstruction for breast cancer has always been a focal clinical concern. The breast-conserving surgery and breast reconstruction using the suspension, insufflation, and lipolysis methods could achieve precise tumor resection in the selected patients and under the specific surgical conditions, with the support of appropriate instruments. Meanwhile, the innovative application of the reverse-sequence method and auxiliary port technique has further enhanced surgical efficiency and the precision of tumor resection. Current studies suggest that endoscopic and robotic-assited breast-conserving surgery and breast reconstruction yield in terms of oncological outcomes comparable to those of conventional open breast-conserving surgery, including positive margins, local recurrence, regional recurrence, distant metastasis, and overall survival. These approaches offered advantages in minimally invasive techniques and aesthetic outcomes. However, existing research was limited by short follow-up period and small sample sizes. Future large-scale, long-term prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to further validate their oncological safety and long-term efficacy. These studies could help establish novel techniques as standard surgical approaches for breast cancer, particularly the efficient and streamlined reverse-sequence endoscopic and auxiliary port-assisted techniques.
Objective To explore the clinical application value of the spinal robot-assisted surgical system in mild to moderate lumbar spondylolisthesis and evaluate the accuracy of its implantation. Methods The clinical data of 56 patients with Meyerding grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) between January 2017 and December 2017 were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 28 cases were preoperatively planned with robotic arm and percutaneous pedicle screw placement according to preoperative planning (group A); the other 28 cases underwent fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw placement (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, slippage type, Meyerding grade, and surgical segmental distribution between the two groups (P>0.05). The screw insertion angle was measured by CT, the accuracy of screw implantation was evaluated by Neo’s criteria, and the invasion of superior articular process was evaluated by Babu’s method. Results One hundred and twelve screws were implanted in the two groups respectively, 5 screws (4.5%) in group A and 26 screws (23.2%) in group B penetrated the lateral wall of pedicle, and the difference was significant (χ2=9.157, P=0.002); the accuracy of nail implantation was assessed according to Neo’s criteria, the results were 107 screws of degree 0, 3 of degree 1, 2 of degree 2 in group A, and 86 screws of degree 0, 16 of degree 1, 6 of degree 2, 4 of degree 3 in group B, showing significant difference between the two groups (Z=4.915, P=0.031). In group B, 20 (17.9%) screws penetrated the superior articular process, while in group A, 80 screws were removed from the decompression side, and only 3 (3.8%) screws penetrated the superior articular process. According to Babu’s method, the degree of screw penetration into the facet joint was assessed. The results were 77 screws of grade 0, 2 of grade 1, 1 of grade 2 in group A, and 92 screws of grade 0, 13 of grade 1, 4 of grade 2, 3 of grade 3 in group B, showing significant difference between the two groups (Z=7.814, P=0.029). The screw insertion angles of groups A and B were (23.5±6.6)° and (18.1±7.5)° respectively, showing significant difference (t=3.100, P=0.003). Conclusion Compared to fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw placement, robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw placement has the advantages such as greater accuracy, lower incidence of screw penetration of the pedicle wall and invasion of the facet joints, and has a better screw insertion angle. Combined with MIS-TLIF, robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw placement is an effective minimally invasive treatment for lumbar spondylolisthesis.