Forces exerted during microneurosurgery: a cadaver study. Issue 2 (16th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marcus, Hani J.; Zareinia, Kourosh; Gan, Liu Shi; Yang, Fang Wei; Lama, Sanju; Yang, Guang‐Zhong; Sutherland, Garnette R.
• Is Part Of: International journal of medical robotics and computer assisted surgery. Volume 10:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 251
• Page End: 256
• Publication Date: 2014-01-16
• Subjects: Robotics in medicine -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Imaging systems in medicine -- Periodicals; 617.90285
• DOI: 10.1002/rcs.1568
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-5951

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="rcs1568-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>A prerequisite for the successful design and use of robots in neurosurgery is knowledge of the forces exerted by surgeons during neurosurgical procedures. The aim of the present cadaver study was to measure the surgical instrument forces exerted during microneurosurgery.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcs1568-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>An experimental apparatus was set up consisting of a platform for human cadaver brains, a Leica microscope to provide illumination and magnification, and a Quanser 6 Degrees‐Of‐Freedom Telepresence System for tissue manipulation and force measurements.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcs1568-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The measured forces varied significantly depending on the region of the brain (<italic>P</italic> = 0.016) and the maneuver performed (<italic>P</italic> < 0.0001). Moreover, blunt arachnoid dissection was associated with greater force exertion than sharp dissection (0.22 N vs. 0.03 N; <italic>P</italic> = 0.001).</p> </sec> <sec id="rcs1568-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The forces necessary to manipulate brain tissue were surprisingly low and varied depending on the anatomical structure being manipulated, and the maneuver performed. Knowledge of such forces could well increase the safety of microsurgery. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>