Advantages and disadvantages of robotic-assisted skull base surgery: the viewpoint of the otorhinolaryngologist

ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SKULL BASE SURGERY

4th Congress Of European ORL-HNS 7-11 Octubre, 2017 Barcelona, Spain

The multidisciplinary approach to the skull base involves a close collaboration between the otolaryngologist and the neurosurgeon. The nasal endoscopic approach is usually performed in two hands. Neurosurgical time is usually performed in four hands and through both nostrils. When using robotic devices arises the difficulty of combining nasal endoscopic technique with the requirements of the neurosurgical device itself.
The ROSA system allows a two-handed approach of a single neurosurgeon who can simultaneously use a motorized chair.

The positioning of the robot fixed on the head fixation system makes it necessary to determine the height of the surgical table that can not be mobilized during the intervention and a rotation of the head towards the opposite side of the nasal access.

The surgery of each patient was planned preoperatively with the radiological study for the navigator: MRI and CT. The robot was installed coupled to the rigid system of fixation of the head. Benchmarks were recorded for 3D reconstruction of the head that processes the equipment. The endoscope was positioned using ROSA® software during neurosurgical time.

The stabilization of the image is an advantage to be valued in counterpart with the three-dimensional image offered by the natural movement of the endoscope in and out.
The adaptation of endoscopes that allow to select the angulation without the change of endoscope or those with distal flexible tip can be a complement to the surgery with robotic assistant.