UC San Diego

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) of the posterior cervical spine with robotic assistance has recently emerged to treat degenerative disc disease. Robotic arms and 3D neuronavigation with preoperatively planned placement are used to achieve real-time intraoperative guidance, reducing screw malposition through increased accuracy and stability. This results in decreased blood loss, postoperative pain, and quicker recovery time compared to other techniques. We aim to demonstrate a novel technical approach to posterior cervical spine fusion using robotic assistance and discuss its advantages. In a patient with right hand weakness and a right paracentral disc herniation of the cervicothoracic spine, we performed a MIS percutaneous and robotically assisted posterior spinal fusion at C7-T2, with complete C7-T1 and T1-2 right-sided facetectomies and also a T1-T2 discectomy. Preoperative software planning and a robotic platform attachment configuration was used. There was immediate postoperative improvement in upper extremity strength and the patient was discharged without complications. Postoperative imaging confirmed accurate hardware placement, and follow-up at both 3- and 4-month confirmed improved upper extremity strength with sensation intact throughout. MIS robotic posterior cervicothoracic fusion can effectively be used to improve patient outcomes. Further implementation of robotic assistance during cervical fusion in larger studies is needed to further evaluate its effectiveness.