1.Influence of network latency and bandwidth on robot-assisted laparoscopic telesurgery: A pre-clinical experiment.
Ye WANG ; Qing AI ; Taoping SHI ; Yu GAO ; Bin JIANG ; Wuyi ZHAO ; Chengjun JIANG ; Guojun LIU ; Lifeng ZHANG ; Huaikang LI ; Fan GAO ; Xin MA ; Hongzhao LI ; Xu ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(3):325-331
BACKGROUND:
Telesurgery has the potential to overcome spatial limitations for surgeons, which depends on surgical robot and the quality of network communication. However, the influence of network latency and bandwidth on telesurgery is not well understood.
METHODS:
A telesurgery system capable of dynamically adjusting image compression ratios in response to bandwidth changes was established between Beijing and Sanya (Hainan province), covering a distance of 3000 km. In total, 108 animal operations, including 12 surgical procedures, were performed. Total latency ranging from 170 ms to 320 ms and bandwidth from 15-20 Mbps to less than 1 Mbps were explored using designed surgical tasks and hemostasis models for renal vein and internal iliac artery rupture bleeding. Network latency, jitter, frame loss, and bit rate code were systemically measured during these operations. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and a self-designed scale measured the workload and subjective perception of surgeons.
RESULTS:
All 108 animal telesurgeries, conducted from January 2023 to June 2023, were performed effectively over a total duration of 3866 min. The operations were completed with latency up to 320 ms and bandwidths as low as 1-5 Mbps. Hemostasis for vein and artery rupture bleeding models was effectively achieved under these low bandwidth conditions. The NASA-TLX results indicated that latency significantly impacted surgical performance more than bandwidth and image clarity reductions.
CONCLUSIONS
This telesurgery system demonstrated safety and reliability. A total of 320 ms latency is acceptable for telesurgery operations. Reducing image clarity can effectively mitigate the potential latency increase caused by decreased bandwidth, offering a new method to reduce the impact of latency on telesurgery.
Animals
;
Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Laparoscopy/methods*
2.Embracing minimally invasive approaches to colorectal cancer resection.
Nan Zun TEO ; James Weiquan LI ; James Chi Yung NGU ; Tiing Leong ANG
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(Suppl 1):S38-S46
The clinical burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) is high. Population-based screening and early detection are essential to improve the long-term clinical outcome. Nonetheless, a significant proportion of patients still present at an advanced stage, including with acute large bowel obstruction. Image-enhanced endoscopy and artificial intelligence can improve the detection and diagnosis of colonic adenomas and early cancer. Endoscopic resection is regarded as the preferred curative treatment option for colonic adenoma and T0 and T1 CRC limited to the superficial submucosa. Emergency colonic stenting as bridge to interval curative surgery is increasingly accepted as a first-line option when technically feasible. Minimally invasive resection techniques such as laparoscopic colectomy and robot-assisted colorectal surgery have also come of age. These techniques reduce post-treatment morbidity, shorten the recovery process and can be cost-effective while maintaining long-term oncological cure. These outcome measures are relevant to our patients; therefore, minimally invasive approaches to curative resection should be embraced.
Humans
;
Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery*
;
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Laparoscopy/methods*
;
Colectomy/methods*
;
Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Colonoscopy/methods*
4.Expert consensus on laparoscopic and robotic-assisted pancreatoduodenectomy with resection and reconstruction of portal-superior mesenteric vein (2025).
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(6):461-470
Pancreatoduodenectomy with portal-superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction can provide radical surgical opportunities for patients with venous invasion and enable them to benefit from the surgery. With the development of minimally invasive concepts and surgical techniques, laparoscopic and robot-assisted pancreatoduodenectomy with portal-superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction is being increasingly widely carried out. This surgical procedure is highly technically demanding, and the perioperative management of patients is complex. However, there is a lack of high-quality and high-level evidence-based clinical studies in this regard. In order to better standardize the clinical application of laparoscopic or robot-assisted pancreatoduodenectomy with portal-superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction in China, the Study Group of Minimally Invasive Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer in China Anti-Cancer Association, guided by problems and based on evidence, formed 17 recommendations through full discussions among experts. The recommendations involve the safety, oncological benefits, and perioperative patient management of the minimally invasive approach to pancreatoduodenectomy with portal-superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction.
Humans
;
Pancreaticoduodenectomy/methods*
;
Mesenteric Veins/surgery*
;
Laparoscopy
;
Portal Vein/surgery*
;
Robotic Surgical Procedures
;
Pancreatic Neoplasms/surgery*
;
Consensus
5.Technical guidelines for minimally invasive surgery in liver transplant recipients(2025).
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(10):859-865
Liver transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage liver disease. Liver transplantation is technically complex and associated with significant trauma. In recent years,minimally invasive surgical techniques,such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery,have rapidly developed and been widely applied across various surgical fields. Minimally invasive surgery offers advantages including reduced trauma,less bleeding,and faster postoperative recovery,and has become a mainstream trend in surgical development. In the field of liver transplantation,laparoscopic and robotic donor hepatectomy techniques for living donor liver transplantation have made significant progress. However, due to difficulties in exposing the anastomotic sites of the donor liver and challenges in vascular anastomosis,the application of minimally invasive techniques in donor liver implantation has progressed relatively slowly. With advancements in laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques and related instruments,laparoscopic donor liver implantation has gradually become feasible. Currently,multiple liver transplant centers worldwide have begun to progressively perform laparoscopic or robot-assisted liver transplantation in recipients,demonstrating potential advantages in reducing surgical trauma and accelerating postoperative recovery. However,there is currently a lack of guidelines or consensus on the application of minimally invasive surgery in liver transplant recipients. Therefore,Branch of Organ Transplantation of Chinese Medical Association,Surgery Group of Chinese Society of Surgery of Chinese Medical Association,and Branch of Organ Transplant Physicians of Chinese Medical Doctor Association invited experts in the field to discuss clinical issues. Combining published guidelines,consensus statements,and research advancements,they formulated the "Technical guidelines for minimally invasive surgery in liver transplant recipients(2025)", aiming to provide reasonable guidance and references for clinical practitioners in the field of liver transplantation.
Humans
;
Liver Transplantation/methods*
;
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Laparoscopy
;
Robotic Surgical Procedures
;
Practice Guidelines as Topic
6.Early effectiveness of navigation-free robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty in treating knee osteoarthritis with extra-articular deformities.
Chen MENG ; Yongqing XU ; Rongmao SHI ; Luqiao PU ; Jian'an JI ; Xingyou YAO ; Xizong ZHOU ; Chuan LI
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(1):5-12
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the early effectiveness of navigation-free robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to traditional TKA in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities.
METHODS:
The clinical data of 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities who met the selection criteria between June 2019 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifteen patients underwent CORI navigation-free robot-assisted TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (robot group) and 15 patients underwent traditional TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (traditional group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, affected knee side, extra-articular deformity angle, deformity position, deformity type, and preoperative knee range of motion, American Knee Society (KSS) knee score and KSS function score, and lower limb alignment deviation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications of the two groups were recorded and compared. The knee range of motion and lower limb alignment deviation were recorded before operation and at 6 months after operation, and the knee joint function was evaluated by KSS knee score and function score.
RESULTS:
There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups ( P>0.05); the intraoperative blood loss in the robot group was significantly less than that in the traditional group ( P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 8.7 months. The incisions of all patients healed well, and there was no postoperative complication such as thrombosis or infection. At 6 months after operation, X-ray examination showed that the position of the prosthesis was good in both groups, and there was no loosening or dislocation of the prosthesis. The knee joint range of motion, the lower limb alignment deviation, and the KSS knee score and KSS function score significantly improved in both groups ( P<0.05) compared to preoperative ones. The changes of lower limb alignment deviation and KSS function score between pre- and post-operation in the robot group were significantly better than those in the traditional group ( P<0.05), while the changes of other indicators between pre- and post-operation in the two groups were not significant ( P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Compared to traditional TKA, navigation-free robot-assisted TKA for knee osteoarthritis with extra-articular deformities results in less intraoperative blood loss, more precise reconstruction of lower limb alignment, and better early effectiveness. However, long-term effectiveness require further investigation.
Humans
;
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods*
;
Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery*
;
Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Range of Motion, Articular
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Osteotomy/methods*
;
Knee Joint/physiopathology*
;
Operative Time
7.TiRobot-assisted minimally invasive treatment of coracoid process fractures of scapula.
Yonghong DAI ; Qingyu LI ; Yanhui ZENG ; Zhengjie WU ; Chunpeng ZHAO ; Junqiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(1):40-46
OBJECTIVE:
To explore effectiveness of TiRobot-assisted screw implantation in the treatment of coracoid process fractures of the scapula.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data from 24 patients with coracoid process fractures of the scapula admitted between September 2019 and January 2024 and met selection criteria. Among them, 12 patients underwent TiRobot-assisted screw implantation (robot group) and 12 underwent manual screw implantation (control group) during internal fixation. There was no significant difference ( P>0.05) in baseline data such as gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, cause of injury, coracoid process fracture classification, and proportion of patients with associated injuries between the two groups. The incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, accuracy of screw placement, coracoid process fracture healing time, and complications were recorded and compared, as well as pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Constant-Murley score at last follow-up.
RESULTS:
The intraoperative blood loss and incision length in the robot group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference in operation time and hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up 8-27 months (mean, 17.5 months), and the difference in follow-up time between the two groups was not significant ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the VAS score for shoulder pain in the robot group was signifncatly lower compared to the control group, and the Constant-Murley score was significantly higher ( P<0.05). In the robot group, 16 screws were implanted intraoperatively, while 13 screws were implanted in the control group. Radiographic re-evaluation showed that the excellent and good rate of screw implantation was higher in the robot group (93.8%, 15/16) than in the control group (61.5%, 8/13), but the difference in the precision of screw implantation between the two groups was not significant ( P>0.05). Four patients in the robot group and 1 in the control group achieved double screws fixation; however, the difference in achieving double screws fixation between the two groups was not significant ( P>0.05). All fractures healed in both groups with 1 case of malunion in the control group. There was no significant difference in healing time between the two groups ( P>0.05). During follow-up, 1 patient in the control group experienced screw loosening and displacement. There was no significant difference in the incidence of screw loosening and fracture malunion between the two groups ( P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Compared with manual screw implantation, TiRobot-assisted minimally invasive treatment of coracoid process fractures of the scapula can reduce intraoperative blood loss, shorten incision length, alleviate pain, and obtain better promote shoulder joint functional recovery.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*
;
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/instrumentation*
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Fractures, Bone/surgery*
;
Bone Screws
;
Coracoid Process/surgery*
;
Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Scapula/surgery*
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Operative Time
;
Young Adult
;
Length of Stay
;
Blood Loss, Surgical
8.Analysis of effectiveness of Holosight robot navigation-assisted percutaneous cannulated screw fixation in treatment of femoral neck fractures.
Weizhen XU ; Zhenqi DING ; Hui LIU ; Jinhui ZHANG ; Yuanfei XIONG ; Jin WU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(6):673-679
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effectiveness of Holosight robotic navigation-assisted percutaneous cannulated screw fixation for femoral neck fractures.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 65 patients with femoral neck fractures treated with cannulated screw fixation between January 2022 and February 2024. Among them, 31 patients underwent robotic navigation-assisted screw placement (navigation group), while 34 underwent conventional freehand percutaneous screw fixation (freehand group). Baseline characteristics, including age, gender, fracture side, injury mechanism, Garden classification, Pauwels classification, and time from injury to operation, showed no significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded and compared, and hip function was evaluated by Harris score at last follow-up. Postoperative anteroposterior and lateral hip X-ray films were taken to assess screw distribution accuracy, including deviation from the femoral neck axis, inter-screw parallelism, and distance from screws to the femoral neck cortex.
RESULTS:
No significant difference was observed in operation time between the two groups ( P>0.05). However, the navigation group demonstrated superior outcomes in intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency, deviation from the femoral neck axis, inter-screw parallelism, and distance from screws to the femoral neck cortex ( P<0.05). No incision infections or deep vein thrombosis occurred. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 16 months). In the freehand group, 1 case suffered from cannulated screw dislodgement and nonunion secondary to osteonecrosis of femoral head at 1 year after operation, 1 case suffered from screw penetration secondary to osteonecrosis of femoral head at 5 months after operation; and 1 case suffered from nonunion secondary to osteonecrosis of femoral head at 6 months after operation in the navigation group. All the 3 patients underwent internal fixators removal and total hip arthroplasty. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). The fracture healing time and hip Harris score at last follow-up in the navigation group were significantly better than those in the freehand group ( P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Compared to freehand percutaneous screw fixation, Holosight robotic navigation-assisted cannulated screw fixation for femoral neck fractures achieves higher precision, reduced intraoperative radiation exposure, smaller incisions, and superior postoperative hip function recovery.
Humans
;
Femoral Neck Fractures/diagnostic imaging*
;
Bone Screws
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Adult
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Operative Time
;
Fracture Healing
;
Surgery, Computer-Assisted/methods*
;
Fluoroscopy
9.Short-term effectiveness of minimally invasive treatment for posterolateral depressed tibial plateau fractures assisted by robots and arthroscopy.
Zhongyao CHEN ; Xing DU ; Gang LUO ; Dagang TANG ; Xinyi WANG ; Yiyang LI ; Kangwen SUN ; Yi DUAN ; Wei SHUI
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(7):801-806
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate short-term effectiveness of robot-assisted fracture reduction and fixation combined with arthroscopic exploration for posterolateral depressed tibial plateau fractures.
METHODS:
Between January 2022 and January 2024, 8 patients with posterolateral depressed tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker type Ⅲ) were treated using robot-assisted fracture reduction and fixation combined with arthroscopic exploration, with simultaneous treatment of concomitant ligament or meniscus tears. There were 3 males and 5 females with an average age of 54.1 years (range, 42-68 years). Injury mechanisms included traffic accidents (3 cases) and falls (5 cases). The time from injury to operation ranged from 2 to 4 days (mean, 3.1 days). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay duration, visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain, and complications were recorded. Fracture healing and knee Rasmussen scores were assessed radiographically, while knee function was evaluated using range of motion and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores.
RESULTS:
All operations were successfully completed. The operation time was 108-129 minutes (mean, 120.1 minutes). The intraoperative blood loss was 10-100 mL (mean, 41.3 mL). The hospital stay duration was 4-7 days (mean, 5.6 days). All incisions healed by first intention without complication such as peroneal nerve injury, vascular damage, or infection. All patients were followed up 32-48 weeks (mean, 40 weeks). Radiographic follow-up confirmed that the knee Rasmussen scores rated as excellent in 8 patients and all fractures healed with the healing time of 12-16 weeks (mean, 13.5 weeks). The VAS score for pain was 2-4 (mean, 2.8) at discharge and improved to 0 at 1 month after operation. The knee range of motion was 80°-110° (mean, 96.1°) at discharge and increased to 135°-140° (mean, 137.9°) at 1 month after operation. At 3 months after operation, the HSS score was 91-94 (mean, 92.8), all graded as excellent. No severe complication, including implant failure, occurred during follow-up.
CONCLUSION
For posterolateral depressed tibial plateau fractures, the minimally invasive approach combining robot-assisted fracture reduction and fixation with arthroscopic exploration demonstrates multiple advantages, including shorter operation time, reduced intraoperative blood loss, excellent wound healing, fewer complications, and rapid recovery of knee function. This technique achieves satisfactory short-term effectiveness, while its long-term effectiveness requires further evaluation.
Humans
;
Male
;
Tibial Fractures/surgery*
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*
;
Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Operative Time
;
Range of Motion, Articular
;
Fracture Healing
;
Length of Stay
;
Tibial Plateau Fractures
10.Advances in application of digital technologies in surgery for ankylosing spondylitis.
Haorui YANG ; Lu LIU ; Nan KANG
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(7):896-902
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the application progress and clinical value of digital technologies in the surgical treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
METHODS:
By systematically reviewing domestic and international literature, the study summarized the specific application scenarios, operational procedures, and technical advantages of digital technologies [including preoperative three-dimensional (3D) planning, intraoperative real-time navigation, robot-assisted surgery, and 3D printing] in AS surgery, and analyzed their impact on surgical accuracy, complication rates, and clinical outcomes.
RESULTS:
Digital technologies significantly improve the precision and safety of AS surgery. Preoperative 3D planning enables personalized surgical protocols; intraoperative navigation systems dynamically adjusts surgical trajectories, reducing the risk of iatrogenic injury; robot-assisted surgery can minimize human errors and enhance implant positioning accuracy; 3D-printed anatomical models and guides optimize the correction of complex spinal deformities. Furthermore, the combined applications of these technologies shorten operative time, reduce intraoperative blood loss, decrease postoperative complications (e.g., infection, nerve injury), and accelerate functional recovery.
CONCLUSION
Through multidimensional integration and innovation, digital technologies provide a precise and minimally invasive solution for AS surgical treatment. Future research should focus on their synergy with biomaterials and intelligent algorithms to further refine surgical strategies and improve long-term prognosis.
Humans
;
Spondylitis, Ankylosing/diagnostic imaging*
;
Printing, Three-Dimensional
;
Surgery, Computer-Assisted/methods*
;
Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
;
Postoperative Complications/prevention & control*
;
Digital Technology
;
Models, Anatomic

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