BACKGROUND:In recent years,the application of surgical robots has become a research hotspot in the field of spinal surgery,but there is still a lack of literature visualization analysis of spinal surgical robots in China.OBJECTIVE:To conduct literature visualization analysis on the research hotspots of spinal surgical robots for the treatment of spinal diseases to provide a useful reference for the research and development of spinal surgical robots in China.METHODS:The Web of Science core set database was applied to search for relevant literature on spinal surgical robots for the treatment of spinal diseases,and 900 articles were finally included. Visualization analysis was conducted on number of publications,journals,institutions,countries,keywords,co-cited documents and highly cited documents of the included literature using VOSviewer 1.6.19 software.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The literature in the field of spinal surgical robots for the treatment of spinal diseases has been increasing year by year,especially in 2023,when the number of publications reached a peak. United States,China,and Germany are the research hotspots in this field. National Natural Science Foundation of China is the main fund in this field. (2) Beijing Jishuitan Hospital,China and Hospital for Special Surgery in United States have made great publications to the research in this field. (3) World Neurosurgery,Spine,and Operative Neurosurgery are the main publication journals in this field. (4) Keyword analysis showed that the research mainly focused on the accuracy of robot-assisted spinal surgery,minimally invasive surgery,robotic spinal surgery,and navigation technology. (5) The results of the co-citation analysis of the literature exhibit that robot-assisted technology has significant advantages in spinal surgery. Compared with traditional surgery,spinal surgical robots such as ROSA? Spine,ExcelsiusGPS,Mazor X,and TiRobot have the advantages of high-precision navigation,precise pedicle screw placement,and real-time feedback. They reduce X-ray radiation exposure during surgery,diminish the risk of complications for patients,and improve the success rate of surgery,showing their application prospects in the field of spinal surgery. (6) Despite this,the application and accuracy of related technologies still need to accumulate experience for improvement. Robotic surgery technology has shown cost-effectiveness in reducing surgical radiation exposure and enhancing surgical accuracy. However,it is needed to explore its accuracy in pedicle screw placement surgery,the impact of surgical time,and economic benefits. (7) The results of the analysis of highly cited literature from 2021 to 2024 further show that the latest research hotspots in this field are currently focused on the application of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies,the improvement of the accuracy of robot-assisted pedicle screw placement,and the application of navigation robot spinal surgery platforms. For example,innovative technologies such as organic electrochemical neurons provide new integrated solutions for brain-computer interfaces,prosthetics,and intelligent soft robotics. Simultaneously,virtual reality and augmented reality technologies have shown broad application prospects in areas such as spinal deformity correction.

BACKGROUND:In recent years,the application of surgical robots has become a research hotspot in the field of spinal surgery,but there is still a lack of literature visualization analysis of spinal surgical robots in China.OBJECTIVE:To conduct literature visualization analysis on the research hotspots of spinal surgical robots for the treatment of spinal diseases to provide a useful reference for the research and development of spinal surgical robots in China.METHODS:The Web of Science core set database was applied to search for relevant literature on spinal surgical robots for the treatment of spinal diseases,and 900 articles were finally included. Visualization analysis was conducted on number of publications,journals,institutions,countries,keywords,co-cited documents and highly cited documents of the included literature using VOSviewer 1.6.19 software.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The literature in the field of spinal surgical robots for the treatment of spinal diseases has been increasing year by year,especially in 2023,when the number of publications reached a peak. United States,China,and Germany are the research hotspots in this field. National Natural Science Foundation of China is the main fund in this field. (2) Beijing Jishuitan Hospital,China and Hospital for Special Surgery in United States have made great publications to the research in this field. (3) World Neurosurgery,Spine,and Operative Neurosurgery are the main publication journals in this field. (4) Keyword analysis showed that the research mainly focused on the accuracy of robot-assisted spinal surgery,minimally invasive surgery,robotic spinal surgery,and navigation technology. (5) The results of the co-citation analysis of the literature exhibit that robot-assisted technology has significant advantages in spinal surgery. Compared with traditional surgery,spinal surgical robots such as ROSA? Spine,ExcelsiusGPS,Mazor X,and TiRobot have the advantages of high-precision navigation,precise pedicle screw placement,and real-time feedback. They reduce X-ray radiation exposure during surgery,diminish the risk of complications for patients,and improve the success rate of surgery,showing their application prospects in the field of spinal surgery. (6) Despite this,the application and accuracy of related technologies still need to accumulate experience for improvement. Robotic surgery technology has shown cost-effectiveness in reducing surgical radiation exposure and enhancing surgical accuracy. However,it is needed to explore its accuracy in pedicle screw placement surgery,the impact of surgical time,and economic benefits. (7) The results of the analysis of highly cited literature from 2021 to 2024 further show that the latest research hotspots in this field are currently focused on the application of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies,the improvement of the accuracy of robot-assisted pedicle screw placement,and the application of navigation robot spinal surgery platforms. For example,innovative technologies such as organic electrochemical neurons provide new integrated solutions for brain-computer interfaces,prosthetics,and intelligent soft robotics. Simultaneously,virtual reality and augmented reality technologies have shown broad application prospects in areas such as spinal deformity correction.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of the ROX index and its modified versions for assessing the therapeutic efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) in pediatric patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF).Methods:This retrospective study analyzed clinical data from 130 AHRF children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Children’s Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024. Patients were categorized into two groups: HFNC success ( n=99) and HFNC failure ( n=31). Clinical parameters were compared between groups, and the predictive performance of the ROX index and its modified variants (ROP, ROXH, ROPH) at various time points was assessed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors for HFNC failure. Results:The HFNC failure group exhibited significantly higher baseline PaCO 2 levels (37.2 mmHg vs. 34.1 mmHg, P<0.05) and prolonged PICU stays (21 days vs. 12 days, P<0.01) compared to the success group. During treatment, the success group demonstrated marked improvements in oxygenation parameters (S/F ratio, P/F ratio) and ROX-derived indices (ROX, ROP, ROXH, ROPH) ( P<0.01). Multivariate analysis identified FiO 2 within 12 hours post-treatment and the ROPH index as independent predictors of HFNC failure ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis revealed that the relative change in ROPH before and after treatment had the highest predictive accuracy (AUC=0.836, optimal cutoff=0.053, sensitivity=95.3%, specificity=70%) among all evaluated indices. Conclusions:Modified ROX indices, particularly the ROPH index, serve as reliable predictors of HFNC outcomes in children with AHRF. Dynamic monitoring of these indices may enable early identification of patients at risk for treatment failure, facilitating timely clinical intervention.

The pedicle screw internal fixation system plays a crucial role in spinal surgery, with the advantage of enhancing spinal stability. However, potential complications such as internal fixation loosening and screw pullout still exist clinically. Currently, pullout of strength is commonly used to evaluate the short-term biomechanical properties of internal fixation, fatigue test is performed to evaluate the long-term biomechanical properties of internal fixation, and torque is used to evaluate the interaction between screws and spinal bone. Factors that influence the biomechanical properties of pedicle screws include spine-related factors (bone density) and screw-related factors (screw size, screw design, and screw augmentation materials). In bones with high bone density, pullout of strength is significantly increased, and fixation strength can also be improved by increasing screw diameter and length, improving screw design, and using screw augmentation materials. Biomechanical research on pedicle screw internal fixation provides key information for achieving individualized and functional optimal channel selection. Designing screw channels with optimal fixation strength is expected to reduce the risk of screw loosening and the occurrence of surgical complications, and improve surgical effects.

Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective:To assess the effectiveness and viability of 5G-enabled robot-assisted thoracolumbar internal fixation surgery, scrutinizing its benefits and potential limitations in a clinical setting.Methods:This retrospective case series study analyzed 61 patients who underwent robot-assisted remote thoracolumbar internal fixation surgery between April and December 2021. The orthopaedic robotic telesurgery system, centered at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital and utilizing 5G technology for network transmission, was used to assist in screw placement. The surgeries, distributed across ten hospitals and executed over an average distance of 1 617 km (maximum exceeding 3 000 km), were appraised by examining the accuracy of screw placement, intraoperative communication efficacy, complication rates, among other metrics, and benchmarked against traditional local procedures.Results:Telesurgery was completed successfully in all patients, averaging 92±32 minutes per operation. Out of 354 screws placed, 89.8% were positioned perfectly and 97.5% were deemed clinically acceptable. The 61 patients, followed-up for an average of 18.9±1.9 months, exhibited significant postoperative improvement in pain. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score was 5.74±1.30 and improved to 2.30±0.90 at discharge, a statistically significant difference ( t=11.002, P<0.001). 6 patients with thoracolumbar degenerative spine disease showed significant relief of claudication and pain symptoms postoperatively. 55 patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures had a preoperative height ratio of 62.78%±12.60% at the anterior margin of the injured vertebrae, which recovered to 85.36%±8.35% postoperatively, a statistically significant difference ( t=16.977, P<0.001). All fractures were healed at final follow-up. No perioperative complications, such as vascular or nerve injuries or infections, occurred. Additionally, there were no complications related to the use of the robot. The 5G network ensured stable transmission of robotic control signals, images, and audio signals during the procedure, with no signal delays or communication failures observed. The perfect rate (90.2% vs. 93.8%, χ 2=0.169, P=0.681) and clinical acceptability rate (99.0% vs. 100.0%, P=1.000) of remote versus local robotic-assisted screw placement in participating hospital 1 (Shantou Xin Sheng Orthopaedic Hospital) were similar. The perfect rate (87.0% vs. 85.4%, χ 2=0.075, P=0.784) and clinical acceptability rate (100.0% vs. 96.6%, χ 2=0.580, P=0.446) of remote versus local robotic-assisted screw placement in participating hospital 2 (Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital) were similar. Conclusion:5G technology enhances the remote application of robotic thoracolumbar surgery without compromising patient safety or outcome quality. It underscores the potential for broader adoption of surgical robotics, aiding in the standardization of medical practices across China, boosting healthcare efficiency, and aligning with the Healthy China strategy.

Objective:To establish a mortality risk prediction model of severe bacterial infection in children and compare it with the pediatric early warning score (PEWS), pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) and pediatric risk of mortality score Ⅲ (PRISM Ⅲ).Methods:A total of 178 critically ill children were selected from the PICU of the Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2017 to June 2022. After obtaining the informed consent of the parents/guardians, basic information such as sex, age, height and weight, as well as indicators such as heart rate, systolic blood pressure and respiratory rate were collected from all children. A standard questionnaire was used to score the child 24 h after admission to the PICU. The children were divided into the survival and death groups according to their survival status at 28 d after admission. A mortality risk prediction model was constructed and nomogram was drawn. The value of the mortality risk prediction model, PEWS, PCIS and PRISM in predicting the risk of death was assessed and compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the ROC curve (AUC).Results:Among the 178 critically ill children, 11 cases were excluded due to severe data deficiencies and hospitalization not exceeding 24 h. A total of 167 children were included in the analysis, including 134 in the survival group and 33 in the death group. A mortality risk prediction model for children with severe bacterial infection was constructed using pupillary changes, state of consciousness, skin color, mechanical ventilation, total cholesterol and prothrombin time. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUCs of mortality risk prediction model was 0.888 ( P<0.05). The AUCs of PEWS, PCIS and PRISM Ⅲ in predicting death in children with severe bacterial infection were 0.769 ( P< 0.05), 0.575 ( P< 0.05) and 0.759 ( P< 0.05), respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed the best agreement between risk of death and PEWS predicted morbidity and mortality and actual morbidity and mortality (χ 2 = 5.180, P = 0.738; χ 2 = 4.939, P = 0.764), and the PCIS and PRISM Ⅲ predicted mortality rates fitted reasonably well with actual mortality rates (χ 2= 9.110, P= 0333; χ 2 = 8.943, P= 0.347). Conclusions:The mortality risk prediction model for predicting the death risk has better prognostic value than PEWS, PCIS and PRISM Ⅲ for children with severe bacterial infection.

Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Robotics ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Orthopedics ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted

Objective:To introduce a new TIANJI robot assisted targeted puncture technique, and discuss the feasibility and clinical effect of transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (tPELD) using this technique.Methods:The first 14 consecutive cases of single level lumbar disc herniation who underwent robot assisted tPELD procedure were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age was 46.3±16.0 years old (ranged from 16-72). After data transferred from C-arm to robot system and automatic registration, surgeons made plans of the trajectory on robot system based on intraoperative 3-dimensional images of lumbar spine. Move robotic arm to planned position, guide an accurate puncture pathway and establish working cannula. 25 consecutive patients who underwent conventional C-arm assisted tPELD surgery during the same period of time were assessed as the controlled group. The mean age was 45.5±13.7 years old (ranged from 16-68). All patients were followed up for 12 months. Clinical effect was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Modified Macnab criteria. Intraoperative parameters and surgery-related complications were recorded.Results:The baseline data of age, surgical level, types of herniation, preoperative VAS scores and ODI had no significant difference between two groups ( P>0.05). In robot group, one case was converted to open microdiscectomy during operation due to technical failure. The other thirteen cases had successful robot assisted tPELD surgeries and were assessed accordingly. The new technique had good clinical outcomes. The immediate post-operative VAS score 2.85±1.79 and the last follow-up VAS score 1.50±1.04 were both significantly decreased than that before surgery 7.62±0.92 ( F=69.747, P<0.01); the last follow-up ODI 18.89%±12.16% was significantly reduced from the pre-operative ODI 71.19%±12.12% ( t=15.430, P<0.01). Between two groups, the immediate post-operative VAS score ( t=0.568, P=0.574), the last follow-up VAS score ( t=0.713, P=0.481), and last follow-up ODI had no significant difference ( t=0.171, P=0.865). The excellent or good rate of modified Macnab criteria at the last follow-up was 92.30% in robot group, comparing to 84.0% in controlled group. The fluoroscopic times during surgery of robot group 8.8±5.5 was significantly lowered the in controlled group 21.3±8.3 ( P<0.01). One case in robot group and two cases in controlled group had recurrence during follow-up period (recurrence rate 7.7% vs. 8.3%). However, there was no significant complications such as nerve root injury, dura injury or increased intracranial pressure in both groups. Conclusion:This study confirmed the feasibility of this new technique. Preliminary results indicated that TIANJI robot could help to build an easy, accurate and safe procedure of tPELD surgery.

Objective:To study the learning curve and inflection point of robot-assisted L 4 and L 5 pedicle screw insertion for lumbar spondylolisthesis. Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on the data of 43 patients with L 4 and L 5 pedicle screw insertion for lumbar spondylolisthesis from January 2016 to December 2020 using surgical robot, including 19 males and 24 females, aging 59 (48, 66) years old. According to Meyerding classification, there were 23 grade I slippage, 18 grade II slippage, and 2 grade III slippage. The screw deviation and screw accuracy grade were assessed. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) was used to analyze the learning curve, and the learning curve is divided into early and late learning stages according to morphology. T test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used for statistical analysis and comparison of indicators between early and late learning stages. Results:43 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis successfully completed the operation, with 60 L 4 pedicle screws and 70 L 5 pedicle screws inserted. The accuracy of L 4 pedicle screw placement began to improve since the 23rd placement, and the accuracy of L 5 pedicle screw placement began to improve since the 20th placement. Using the 23rd pedicle screw (the 14th patient) to divide the learning curve as the early stage and the late stage. There was no statistically significant difference in the operation time (225.0±74.0 min vs. 207.0±81.2 min, t=0.65, P=0.521), intraoperative blood loss[200 (75, 500) ml vs. 100 (60, 200) ml, Z=1.30, P=0.195], the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies[10 (6, 10) vs. 10 (6, 10), Z=-0.37, P=0.712] and postoperative complications (8% vs. 0, P=0.302) between the early stage and late stage of learning curve. In the late stage of learning, the postoperative hospital stay was shorter[4.5 (3, 6) d vs. 6.0 (5, 9) d, Z=2.00, P=0.046]and the pedicle screw insertion accuracy was higher[L 4: 1.33 (1.06, 1.79) mm vs. 2.23 (1.12, 4.55) mm, Z=2.43, P=0.015; L 5: 1.47 (0.98, 1.87) mm vs. 3.21 (1.64, 4.87) mm, Z=3.90, P=0.001]. The accuracy of screw placement was similar between the early and late stages[L 4: 95%(21/22) vs. 97%(37/38), P=1.000; L 5: 91%(20/22) vs. 96%(46/48), P=0.585]. Conclusion:Robot-assisted L 4 and L 5 pedicle screw placement in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis had a relatively obvious learning curve. Starting from the placement of the 23rd screws, the accuracy of screw placement gradually increased.