Robot-assisted microsurgery: A feasibility study in the rat

OBJECTIVE: Telerobotic surgery is a novel technology that can improve a sur geon's manual dexterity as well as the results achieved with microsurgical procedures. METHODS: A prototype Robot-Assisted MicroSurgery (RAMS) microdexterity enha ncement system developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and MicroDexterit y Systems, Inc., was tested in 10 rats. Carotid arteriotomies were created and closed using either the RAMS system or conventional microsurgical techn iques. The time required, the technical quality (vessel patency and suture line integrity), the error rate, and subjective difficulty were compared. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully completed using the RAMS system t o manipulate the vessel but not to hold the needle or place the sutures. Th e precision, technical quality, and error rate of telerobotic surgery were similar to those of conventional techniques. However, the use of the RAMS s ystem was associated with a twofold increase in the length of the procedure . CONCLUSION: Surgery using a microdexterity enhancement system, or RAMS prot otype, is feasible. With further development, such as a stereotelevisualiza tion and haptic feedback system, this system could be used for telerobotic surgery in neurosurgical practice.