Learning curves of robotic technology in an orthopedic teaching hospital

Robotic assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is not associated with increased patient satisfaction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common orthopedic surgery, yet postoperative dissatisfaction persists in around 20% of cases. Robotic total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) promises enhanced precision, but its impact on patient satisfaction compared to conventional TKA remains controversial (cTKA). This systematic review aims to evaluate patient satisfaction post-rTKA and compare outcomes with cTKA.

METHODS

Papers from the following databases were identified and reviewed: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Online Library, using keywords like "Knee replacement," "Total knee arthroplasty," "Robotic," and "Patient satisfaction." Extracted data included patient satisfaction measures, Knee Society Score, Oxford Knee Score, Forgotten Joint Score, SF-36, HSS, and KOOS. Statistical analysis, including odds ratio and 95% CI was performed using R software. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane's Q test.

RESULTS

The systematic review included 17 articles, involving 1148 patients (571 in the rTKA group and 577 in the cTKA group) assessing patient satisfaction following rTKA. An analysis of proportions reveals rTKA satisfaction rate was 95%, while for cTKA, it was 91%. A meta-analysis comparing rTKA and cTKA found no statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction. Additionally, various patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were examined, showing mixed results across different studies and follow-up periods.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study found no difference in patient satisfaction outcomes in the short to mid-term for rTKA compared to conventional methods. This study does not assert superiority for the robotic approach, highlighting the need for careful consideration of various factors influencing outcomes in knee arthroplasty.

Effectiveness and safety of robot-assisted minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar spinal diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Robot-assisted (RA) technology has been widely used in spine surgery. This analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of RA minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and fluoroscopy-assisted (FA) MIS-TLIF for degenerative lumbar spinal diseases (DLSD). PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were systematically searched, and the outcomes included surgical parameters [operation time, blood loss, number of fluoroscopic, accuracy of pedicle screw position, superior facet joint violation (FJV)], and clinical indexes (Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, clinical efficacy, hospital stays, complications). Eleven articles involving 1066 patients were included. RA group produced better results than the FA group in operation time (WMD = - 6.59; 95% CI - 12.79 to - 0.40; P = 0.04), blood loss (WMD = - 34.81; 95% CI - 50.55 to - 19.08; P < 0.0001), number of fluoroscopic (WMD = - 18.24; 95% CI - 30.63 to - 5.85; P = 0.004), accuracy of pedicle screw position: Grade A (OR = 3.16; 95% CI 2.36-4.23; P < 0.00001), Grade B (OR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.28-0.54; P < 0.00001), Grade C (OR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.13-0.54; P = 0.0002), and Grade D (OR = 0.17; 95% CI 0.03-0.98; P = 0.05), FJV: Grade 0 (OR = 3.27; 95% CI 1.34-8.02; P = 0.010), Grade 1 (OR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.16-0.38; P < 0.00001), Grade 2 (OR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.12-0.51; P = 0.0002), and Grade 3 (OR = 0.26; 95% CI 0.07-0.93; P = 0.04). But no significant differences in VAS score, ODI, JOA score, clinical efficacy, hospital stays, and complications. These results demonstrate a significant improvement in the intraoperative course of the RA technique. However, RA-MIS-TLIF has not yet demonstrated significant advantages in terms of postoperative symptom relief and functional improvement. Future research and clinical practice should further explore the efficacy of this technique to optimize outcomes and quality of life for patients with DLSD. The study was registered in the PROSPERO (CRD42023454405).

Efficacy and safety of robot-assisted versus fluoroscopy-assisted PKP or PVP for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA), which includes percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Robot-assisted (RA) and fluoroscopy-assisted (FA) are important methods for treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs), though it is still unclear which is superior. This analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of RA and FA. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were systematically searched, the outcomes included surgical parameters (leakage rate, operation time, number of fluoroscopic, injection volume, inclination angle), and clinical indexes (hospital stays, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Cobb angle, the midline height of vertebral). Thirteen articles involving 1094 patients were included. RA group produced better results than the FA group in the leakage rate (OR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.17-0.42; P < 0.00001), number of fluoroscopic (WMD = - 13.88; 95% CI - 18.47 to - 9.30; P < 0.00001), inclination angle (WMD = 5.02; 95% CI 4.42-5.61; P < 0.00001), hospital stays (WMD = - 0.32; 95% CI - 0.58 to - 0.05; P = 0.02), VAS within 3 days (WMD = - 0.19; 95% CI - 0.26 to - 0.12; P < 0.00001), Cobb angle within 3 days (WMD = - 1.35; 95% CI - 2.56 to - 0.14; P = 0.003) and Cobb angle after 1 month (WMD = - 1.02; 95% CI - 1.84 to - 0.20; P = 0.01). But no significant differences in operation time, injection volume, ODI, the midline height of vertebral, and VAS score after 1 month. Our analysis found that the RA group had lower cement leakage rates, number of fluoroscopic and hospital stays, a larger inclination angle, better short-term pain improvement, and Cobb angle improvement. It is worth acknowledging that robotic-assisted surgery holds promise for the development of spine surgery. The study was registered in the PROSPERO (CRD42023393497).