Application of a newly designed microfork probe for robotic-guided pelvic intraoperative neuromapping.

Abstract

Introduction:Robotic-assisted total mesorectal excision (TME) with pelvic intraoperative neuromapping was recently accomplished. However, neuromapping is conventionally conducted by a hand-guided laparoscopic probe. We introduce a prototype microfork probe to make robotic-guided neuromapping feasible.Experiments and Technical Setup:Two porcine experiments with nerve-sparing TME surgery were performed. A newly designed prototype bipolar microfork probe was inserted intraabdominally and guided with the robotic forceps. Intermittent neuromapping was then conducted and neuromonitoring data integrated in the surgeon console viewer.Conclusion:Robotic-guided neuromapping is shown to be feasible and fully controllable from the surgeon console.