Robot-assisted stapedotomy: micropick fenestration of the stapes footplate.

Abstract

Micropick fenestration of the stapes footplate, a difficult step in stapedotomy, was selected for trials evaluating the potential for robotic assistance (RA) to improve clinical measures of surgical performance. In a surgical model of stapedotomy, we measured accuracy of fenestration to a desired point location and force applied to the stapes footplate. Performance variables were measured for 3 experienced and 3 less-experienced surgeons. RA significantly reduced the maximum force applied to the stapes footplate. For fenestration targeting, RA significantly improved accuracy for less-experienced surgeons and significantly worsened targeting for more-experienced surgeons. RA significantly improves performance for micropick fenestration in a surgical model of stapedotomy. For certain tasks, RA differentially affects performance for users of different experience levels. These are the first results showing quantitative improvements in performance during simulated ear surgery using RA and differential effects of RA on performance for users of different experience levels.