Analysis of forces during robot-assisted and manual manipulations of mobile and fixed footplate in temporal bone specimens

Robot-Assisted Electrode Insertion in Cochlear Implantation Controlled by Intraoperative Electrocochleography-A Pilot Study

Robotics in otology has been developing in many directions for more than two decades. Current clinical trials focus on more accurate stapes surgery, minimally invasive access to the cochlea and less traumatic insertion of cochlear implant (CI) electrode arrays. In this study we evaluated the use of the RobOtol^® (Collin, Bagneux, France) otologic robot to insert CI electrodes into the inner ear with intraoperative ECochG analysis. This prospective, pilot study included two adult patients implanted with Advanced Bionics (Westinghouse PI, CA, USA) cochlear implant, with HiFocus™ Mid-Scala electrode array. The standard surgical approach was used. For both subjects, who had residual hearing in the implanted ear, intraoperative and postoperative ECochG was performed with the AIM^TM system. The surgeries were uneventful. A credible ECochG response was obtained after complete electrode insertion in both cases. Preoperative BC thresholds compared to intraoperative estimated ECochG thresholds and 2-day postoperative BC thresholds had similar values at frequencies where all thresholds were measurable. The results of the ECochG performed one month after the surgery showed that in both patients the hearing residues were preserved for the selected frequencies. The RobOtol^® surgical robot allows for the correct, safe and gentle insertion of the cochlear implant electrode inside the cochlea. The use of electrocochleography measurements during robotic cochlear implantation offers an additional opportunity to evaluate and modify the electrode array insertion on an ongoing basis, which may contribute to the preservation of residual hearing.

Endoscopic and Robotic Stapes Surgery: Review with Emphasis on Recent Surgical Refinements

Purpose of Review

Stapes surgery has been established as the gold standard for surgical treatment of conductive hearing loss in otosclerosis. Excellent outcomes with very low complication rate are reported for this surgery. Recent advances to improve surgical outcome have modified the surgical technique with endoscopes, and recent studies report development of robotical assistance. This article reviews the use of endoscopes and robotical assistance for stapes surgery.

Recent Findings

While different robotic models have been developed, 2 models for stapes surgery have been used in the clinical setting. These can be used concomitant to an endoscope or microscope. Endoscopes are used on a regular base regarding stapes surgery with similar outcomes as microscopes. Endoscopic stapes surgery shows similar audiological results to microscopic technique with an advantage of less postoperative dysgeusia and pain. Its utility in cases of revision surgery or malformation is emphasized.

Summary

Endoscopic stapes surgery is used on a regular basis with excellent outcomes similar to the microscopic approach, while reducing surgical morbidity. Robotic technology is increasingly being developed in the experimental setting, and first applications are reported in its clinical use.