Robotics in stereotactic neurosurgery

The concept of robotics in neurosurgery is the natural progression of stereotactic methods: a system that accurately and reproducibly identifies a target and maintains a trajectory focused on that target. The first robot used in a surgical setting was a repurposed industrial robot in the mid-1980s. Since that time, three different systems have been granted FDA approval for use in stereotactic neurosurgery. The technology is growing at an exciting rate, and although it is capable of reducing surgeon fatigue, human error, and operative time by precisely replicating multiple commands, it unfortunately removes some of the safety features inherent to conventional stereotaxy, requires the development of a new intraoperative workflow, and carries significantly greater costs and maintenance demands.