Feasibility of a Robotic Surgical Approach to Reconstruct the Skull Base

Abstract

The role of robotic surgery in the skull base is evolving and represents the natural progression toward maximizing surgical resections in confined spaces without compromising oncological principles. In this study, we describe the novel application of robotic surgery to the repair of dural defects in the skull base. A transmaxillary-transantral approach to the nasal cavity was performed bilaterally in a cadaveric model. Repair of the skull base defect was undertaken robotically. In this technical report, we demonstrate the feasibility of a suture-based technique for surgical reconstruction of the skull base with robotic assistance in a cadaveric model. In all cases, suture repair of dural defects was successfully performed with robotic-assisted technique. Although preliminary in nature, this study suggests that traditional suture techniques can be implemented in a confined surgical site with the use of robotic technology.