Current research status and prospects for clinical application of robotics in spinal surgery

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the increasing integration of medical engineering, robot-assisted (RA) technology in spinal surgery has made significant strides, with its clinical application range continuously expanding. This article provides a comprehensive review of relevant literature on spinal surgery robots over the past decade, summarizing recent advancements in screw placement techniques such as cervical, thoracic, and lumbar pedicle screws; cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screws; cervical lateral mass screws; and S2 sacroiliac (S2AI) screws. It also discusses RA-guided targeted puncture and endoscope placement through intervertebral foramen as well as decompressive laminectomy procedures. Furthermore, this article systematically analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of RA technology while elucidating its accuracy, safety, and practicality. We believe that this article will help clinicians to gain a deeper understanding of the current clinical application status of spinal surgery robots while promoting further enhancements and wider adoption of RA technology to ultimately benefit more patients.