Robotic arthroscopic surgery: a new challenge in arthroscopic surgery Part-I: Robotic shoulder arthroscopy; a cadaveric feasibility study

✍ Scribed by Murat Bozkurt; Nihal Apaydin; Çetin Işik; Yenel Gurkan Bilgetekin; Halil Ibrahim Acar; Alaittin Elhan

• Publisher: Wiley (Robotic Publications)
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 356 KB
• Volume: 7
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1478-5951
• DOI: 10.1002/rcs.436

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background

Arthroscopy of the shoulder is a well‐established diagnostic procedure which has widespread application. Advances in technology and the search for more minimal invasive surgery will always offer new techniques in any surgical field. Robotic technology is such an advance, offering technical advantages over standard laparoscopic approaches. The aim of the present study is to test whether robotic surgery can be used while performing shoulder arthroscopy or not.

Methods

Robotic shoulder arthroscopy was tried on two shoulder joints of a male fresh‐frozen human cadaver. The arthroscopic control of the biceps tendon, glenoid labrum, rotator cuff muscles, rotator interval, glenohumeral ligament, and the coracoid process were evaluated in beach chair and lateral decubitus positions.

Results

The arthroscopic control of the shoulder joint was possible for both beach chair and lateral decubitus positions.

Conclusions

Robotic shoulder arthroscopy seems feasible in a cadaveric model but has some significant limitations at this time. A clinical application could be performed as diagnostic arthroscopy and as simple arthroscopic surgery until more specific instrumentation is developed. It may also enable the surgeon to perform more complex and precise tasks in restricted spaces. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.