Advances in Reconstructive Robotic Microsurgery in the Extremity

Abstract

Robotic surgery has emerged as a promising technique for reconstructive procedures, offering potential advantages across various surgical fields. Following initial case reports on the use of the Symani Surgical System (Medical Microinstruments, S.p.A) for microsurgical anastomosis, the authors evaluated its full potential in extremity reconstruction. They conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with soft tissue defects of the upper and lower extremities treated between February 2022 and May 2024. Each patient underwent soft tissue reconstruction with free tissue transfer with microsurgical anastomosis performed using the Symani Surgical System. The study included 7 male patients and 1 female patient, aged between 19 and 71 years (mean age: 50.6 y). The most used recipient vessels were the anterior tibial artery and vein (37.5%). The preferred anastomotic technique was end-to-side in arterial anastomoses (6/8). All arterial anastomoses were performed using the Symani Surgical System. The mean anastomosis time was 33.2±5.8 minutes. One out of 8 patients required surgical revision outside of the anastomosis. The authors’ findings suggest that using the Symani Surgical System for microanastomosis in extremity reconstruction is a safe and effective approach, leading to satisfactory outcomes in different anatomic regions. The system allows for the successful execution of various anastomosis techniques, including end-to-end and end-to-side connections, using single interrupted or running sutures, which enhances its versatility in complex reconstructive procedures. The benefits of robotic assistance in terms of precision and ergonomics are promising for the future of reconstructive microsurgery.