Abstract
Purpose :
Little research has been done concerning robotic surgery in ophthalmology. This study investigates the feasibility of operating penetrating keratoplasty using the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and reports its first use in experimental eye surgery.
Methods :
Five robotically assisted penetrating keratoplasty surgeries were performed on human corneal transplants placed on an artificial chamber using the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System. We stitched four cardinal points and a running suture with 9/0 nylon. The correct placement of the sutures was verified with spectral-domain OCT. The procedures were timed and recorded using still photography and video.
Results :
The Da Vinci Xi Surgical System provided the necessary dexterity to perform delicate ocular surface surgery and robotic tools were safe for the tissues. The mean duration of the surgical procedures was 46 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications and no unexpected events. OCT confirmed the correct placement of the sutures.
Conclusions :
Robotic-assisted penetrating keratoplasty surgery is technically feasible on human cornea using the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System. Specific instruments should be designed to improve its efficiency and further research should be done to confirm the clinical value of this new version of the Da Vinci robot in ophthalmology.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.