Postoperative outcome of robot-assisted transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: A pilot study

Introduction: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery is well established for the treatment of discopathy, foraminal disc herniation, and recurrent disc herniation. At the Amiens university medical center, we have been using a robot-assisted technique for performing the TLIF. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcome, specifically pain, of patients having undergone robot-assisted TLIF. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients having undergone minimally invasive (MI) robot-assisted TLIF between November 2014 and July 2018 in a French university medical center. In clinical consultations at 6 weeks, 12 months, and 24 months posttreatment, patients were assessed for back and leg pain (on a visual analog scale), breached screws, and sagittal parameters. Results: A total of 136 pedicle screws were inserted with robot guidance into 32 patients. Four of the patients required laminectomy before fusion. No pedicle breach occurred for 94% of the screws, and no joint violation was observed for 90%. Lordosis was improved in 78% of the cases. Conclusions: The robot provides valuable assistance during MI arthrodesis; it facilitates the surgical procedure by preplanning the trajectory, providing instantaneous navigation and tracking, and thus assure the accuracy of screw positioning.

Key-words:

Degenerative - lumbar spine fusion - minimally invasive spine surgery - robot-assisted surgery - screw position - spinal instrumentation - spine disease - transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

Introduction

Lumbar spine fusion is widely used to treat various spinal conditions, including degenerative spinal diseases such as degenerative spondylolisthesis, recurrent disc herniation, and foraminal disc herniation. Various techniques for spinal fusion have been described, including transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) – a method that has gained popularity among spine surgeons over the past two decades. The open TLIF technique was first introduced by Harms and Jeszenszky in 1998.[[1]] A posterior approach is now generally used; it involves passing through the foramen to decompress the nerve root (without excessive retraction over the nerve roots) and then insertion of the intervertebral cage. Relative to the standard approach, a posterior approach is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative neuropathy and radiculitis.[[2]] In contrast, it is also associated with greater morbidity, including blood loss, muscle degeneration (due to the extensive exposure), and an extended length of hospital stay.[[3]] To overcome these disadvantages, Foley et al. developed a minimally invasive TLIF approach (MI-TLIF) in 2003.[[3]] Lieber et al. recently compared robot-assisted TLIF with conventional TLIF in terms of intraoperative complications (e.g., hemorrhage, and the requirement for blood transfusion) and postoperative complications (e.g., pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, nerve root injuries, and dural tears).[[4]] In a previous report, we described the robot-assisted TLIF technique and cases of associated pedicle breach.[[5]]

The primary objective of the present study was to perform a descriptive retrospective analysis of patients having undergone robot-assisted TLIF at a French University Medical Center (Amiens, France) between November 2014 and July 2018.

Materials and Methods

Study design, population, and setting

We retrospectively studied prospectively collected data of patients having undergone TLIF, assisted by the ROSA® spine robot (Medtech, Montpellier, France) with a flat-panel computed tomography (FPCT) guidance O-arm® (Medtronic, Minneapolis, USA).

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

The main inclusion criteria were age 18 or over, and surgery for a degenerative lumbar or sacral spinal disease (lumbar spondylolisthesis, recurrent lumbar disc herniation, foraminal disc herniation, or discogenic low back pain) for which TLIF was indicated. Patients with spine fractures were excluded from this study.

Description of the technique

After general anesthesia, the patient was placed in the prone position on a Wilson frame mounted on a radiolucent spinal operating table. The abdomen was unsupported, and the spine was flexed to open up the interlaminar space. All pressure points were adequately padded. The O-arm FPCT device and the ROSA spine robot were installed to the right of the patient at an angle of 90° and 45°, respectively [[Figure 1]]. For the navigation system, a percutaneous reference frame was attached to the right posterior iliac crest for left-side disc pathology (and vice versa) through an incision parallel to the midline [[Figure 1]]. Next, a three-dimensional (3D) FPCT scan was acquired after covering the metallic part of the fiducial box attached to the robotic arm [[Figure 2]]. The 3D image was transferred from the O-arm CT scanner to the ROSA robot's workstation. The 3D trajectory for bilateral transpedicular screw placement was then planned and visualized on the workstation's screen [[Figure 3]]. The screw positioning parameters were chosen (along with the screw length and width) so as not to breach the pedicle or damage the facet joint. The screw trajectories were planned such that they would provide enough space to work between the two heads of the screws, especially at the decompression side-and to align the heads of the screws as much as possible for easier rod insertion and a more solid construct [[Figure 4]] and [[Figure 5]]. The insertion of the screws, cage, and finally, the rod was carried out as described in our previous article.

Figure 1: Installation of the patient, the O-arm computed tomography device and the ROSA® robot

Figure 2: Covering the metallic part of the fiducial box attached to the robotic Arm through using large compress during the acquisition of the three-dimensional image

Figure 3: Preoperative planning images: (a) Measurement of the distance between the heads of two screws at the decompression side (red arrow); (b) A check to ensure that the heads of the two screws are not in contact with each other and that there is enough space between them (white arrows)

Figure 4: Three-dimensional views of maneuvers intended to align the heads of three screws without affecting the optimal trajectory, as thus to facilitate subsequent rod insertion. (a) Screw heads before alignment (white arrows); (b) after alignment (white arrows)

Figure 5: Inserting the Kirschner-wire with navigational guidance, along the yellow line (the preplanned trajectory). The purple line represents the navigated Kirschner wire insertion. (a) The Kirschner wire passes through the pedicle (arrow); (b) The K-wire arrives at the middle of the vertebrae

Results

Demographic characteristics of the study population

Thirty-two patients underwent robot-assisted TLIF between November 2014 and July 2018. Twenty-eight patients underwent single-level arthrodesis, and four underwent two-level arthrodesis. For single-level arthrodesis, the most frequently concerned levels were L4–L5 (n = 14 cases, 43.7%), L5–S1 (n = 11, 34.3%), and L3–L4 (n = 3, 9.3%). In accordance with the inclusion criteria, the indications for surgery were herniated foraminal disc, discogenic low back pain, recurrent disc herniation, isthmic/degenerative spondylolisthesis, and lumbar spinal stenosis [[Table 1]]. Four patients were operated on through an open approach as a result of severe, generalized stenosis; hence, complete laminectomy had to be performed before fusion. Details of the operating time and radiation exposure have been reported previously.[[5]]

Table 1: Number of operated patients, by indication

Clinical outcome

The clinical outcomes have been reported for 24 of the 32 patients because eight of them have yet to complete 12 months of follow-up. Changes in pain levels were rated subjectively by the patient on a visual analog scale (VAS) before surgery and on the postoperative day 3.[[6]] Early and late pain reductions were defined as a reduction in pain within one and 2 years of surgery, respectively. We considered VAS ≤3 as a sign of pain relief and based on this criterion, 16 patients (66%) experienced early pain reductions, and eight (33%) experienced late reductions [[Table 2]]. At the 2-year consultation, 18 patients (75%) reported that they were satisfied with the degree of pain reduction. Of the six patients (18%) who were not satisfied, two were referred to a pain specialist, one was referred to a specialist in physical and rehabilitation medicine, and the three others were treated for neuropathic pain.

Table 2: Visual Analogue Scale score in pre and postoperative

Radiological measurements

A total of 136 screw placements were analyzed intraoperatively using the FPCT device and graded according to Ravi's classification [[Table 3]].[[7]] This radiologic assessment revealed that 128 screws (94%) were Ravi grade A, five (4%) were grade B, two (1%) were grade C, and two (1%) were grade D [[Figure 4]]. One of the two Ravi grade D screws was replaced during surgery, and the final intraoperative CT scan confirmed the improvement in the screw's position [[Figure 5]]. Artifacts on the FPCT image prevented adequate visualization of the other grade D screw (in a different patient), which was revealed by a standard postoperative CT scan. The screw was not replaced because it had not triggered any symptoms.

Table 3: Ravi’s pedicle breach classification

For the 68 operated vertebral levels, the joint violation was graded according to Shah's classification [[[Table 4]] and [[Figure 6]]].[[8]] Sixty-one joints (90%) were grade 1, five (7%) were grade 2, and two (3%) were grade 3.{Figure 6}

Figure 6: Examples of joint violation grades, according to Shah's classification. (a) Grade 1; (b) Grade 2; (c) Grade 3

Table 4: Ravi’s joint violation classification

Finally, we were able to reduce lordosis in 26 of the 32 patients (78%). However, lordosis worsened in four patients (13%) and was unchanged in two (7%) of them [[Table 5]].

Table 5: Segmental lordosis evaluation in pre and postoperative

Discussion

The TLIF approach was introduced by Harms and Jeszenszky in 1998.[[1]] This technique involves a three-column fusion through a unilateral, transforaminal trajectory and a single posterior approach. The risk of postoperative radiculitis is greatly decreased because of the lesser need for nerve root retraction compared to previous techniques.[[9]]

Given the morbidity associated with the traditional open TLIF (primarily blood loss and delayed recovery), alternative approaches (such as MI-TLIF) have been adopted. This MI technique is associated with less blood loss, lower postoperative pain levels, more rapid recovery, and lower health costs.[[10]],[[11]]

In contrast to the open approach (in which anatomic landmarks can be visualized and thus facilitate the use of the correct instrumentation), the “semi-blind” percutaneous technique raises issues of pedicle breach and joint violation.[[12]] The emergence of robot-assisted spine surgery can address these issues and optimize the screw's trajectory and final position. Here, we have presented our experience with assisted MI-TLIF using the ROSA® spine robot and reported the short-term clinical and radiological outcomes.

We found that one of the great benefits of robotic guidance (relative to the conventional percutaneous technique) is the ability to predict intraoperative problems. One difficulty in MI-TLIF is estimating the distance between two screws at the decompression side. In the conventional percutaneous technique, it is impossible to calculate the distance between the two screw heads before insertion. However, robot guidance makes it possible to properly plan the screw trajectory so that there is enough space for the insertion of instruments (e.g., the high-speed drill or the Kerrison rongeur forceps) and the intervertebral cage [[Figure 4]]. Furthermore, we were able to align the heads of the screws without affecting the optimal trajectory, thereby avoiding difficulties when the rods were inserted [[Figure 4]]. The ability to plan, navigate, and track the trajectory with the robot, decreases the risk of screw malpositioning and pedicle breach [[Figure 6]]. We believe that in difficult cases with distorted anatomy, it is impossible to achieve satisfactory results (in terms of screw positioning and avoidance of joint violation) without using the navigation function.

Ringel et al. reported a higher incidence of pedicle breach (according to the Gertzbein Robbins classification) for robot-assisted surgery than for freehand surgery (93% and 85%, respectively).[[13]] With regard to pedicle breach, studies have shown that 93.7% of the screws were of Ravi grade A, whereas 5.7% and 0.6% were of Ravi grade B, and C, respectively.[[14]] Kim et al. reported the absence of joint violation in a robot-assisted group.

Regarding different types of percutaneous approaches, Ohba et al. found that using intraoperative CT with navigation significantly reduced the risk of joint violation compared to the fluoroscopy technique (risk: Of 3.8% [3/79] vs. 30.5% [11/36]).[[15]] In addition, Yson et al. have confirmed the benefits of using a navigation system, especially in cases of the percutaneous approach and its ability to significantly decrease the risk of joint violation (only 4% of the joint violation [5/125] cases were of grade one).[[16]] On the other hand, Lau et al. reported that intraoperative CT with navigation did not decrease the risk of joint violation.[[17]] They showed that the risk of joint violation was 10.8% (4 of 37 patients) in the navigation group and 4.8% (5 of 105 patients) in the fluoroscopic group.[[17]]

The correction of lumbar lordosis is critical for the prevention of flatback syndrome and adjacent segment disease. These undesirable outcomes could be a consequence of lumbar hypolordosis and sagittal imbalance.[[18]],[[19]],[[20]] The best approach for lordosis correction is the anterior approach (with the use of lordotic cages with a large angle). However, in the present series, with the posterior approach, lordosis was reduced in 78% of the cases, while it worsened in 15%, and remained unchanged in 6% of them. Some MI-TLIF techniques are capable of correcting lordosis in a high proportion of cases.[[5]],[[21]]

There are several limitations to the application of robotic assistance in this type of surgery. First, is the high cost of the robot approximately (€700,000), making it available in only large institutions/cities. Second, preoperative planning is not possible with the ROSA robot's software, which we think would save a lot of time. Third, there is no way to merge the data from CT and magnetic resonance imaging (as is possible for the brain version). Finally, the system lacks the ability to simulate the optimal sagittal balance, which we believe would be very valuable in giving the surgeon an idea of how much lordosis has to be restored or at least how much of the sagittal balance will be improved at the operation site.

The initial challenges associated with the use of the robotic system include the application of the toothed cannula for drilling (to avoid the skiving effect). We, therefore, replaced it with a nontoothed cannula, with modification of the drilling maneuver (a very high-speed in-and-out movement, several times until penetration of the whole pedicle). Moreover, especially for the ROSA robot, the problem of registration related to the exposed metal part attached to the mire was resolved by adequately covering it with a large blue gauze, as shown in [[Figure 2]].

This pilot study has several limitations. First was the uneven follow-up of patients, as not all the patients completed 12 months at the time of this article preparation. Second, the only clinical outcome measured was the pain score using the VAS. Third, due to the small number of patients, we included a variety of degenerative conditions operated using robot assistance. Fourth, the robot-assisted technique and the conventional percutaneous method were not formally compared to reach a solid conclusion on equality, superiority, or inferiority of the former method. The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of the robot-assisted technique and acceptability of results before a formal comparison can be made with the percutaneous technique. Future studies, including a larger series of patients, should, therefore, compare the robotic technique with the conventional percutaneous method. Furthermore, a spine-specific outcome to evaluate the quality of life, such as the Oswestry disability index, should be used.

Conclusions

Lumbar spine fusion is now a widely accepted treatment option for various spinal diseases. MI-TLIF is increasingly used to reduce the postoperative morbidity associated with open techniques. Large prospective studies or retrospective reviews are needed to formally compare various outcomes in robot-assisted TLIF versus conventional percutaneous surgery. However, based on our experience, robot-assisted MI-TLIF facilitates the surgical procedure and helps to improve the accuracy and outcomes.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

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Publication History

Received: 27 December 2020

Accepted: 02 March 2021

Article published online:
16 August 2022