Telemicrosurgery in Brachial Plexus: the Feasibility of Robot-Assisted Microsurgery

Abstract

Telemicrosurgery applications have expanded quickly since the 1990s. The development of robotics has allowed a glimpse into new perspectives in nerve microsurgery. Minimally invasive surgery has quickly become the first therapeutic option in many operative indications, reducing postoperative complications and increasing patient comfort. Surgical robotics already proved useful, leading to numerous enhancements of the technique. We will introduce you how to make telemicrosurgery of the brachial plexus surgery with da Vinci robot in this review.In Oberlin technique, our results demonstrate the feasibility of the robot-assisted surgery. The absence of sensory feedback was not a problem. The development of specific retractors should improve the mini-invasive technique.In brachial plexus surgery, mini-invasive robot-assisted brachial plexus surgery has the double advantage of better cosmesis and improved functional outcome by decreased scarring. It was difficult to confirm with absolute certainty without electrical stimulation that the nerve identified and biopsied was the superior trunk of the brachial plexus. We had no other difficulties with this procedure. The workspace was perfectly maintained by low-pressure insufflations of CO2.In telemicrosurgery, we think that there are many requiring ingenuity. More animal research and clinical study will be needed to develop the field of telemicrosurgery. We believe that Juntendo University will be able to do it and have to do it!!