title: Robotic hip arthroscopy in human anatomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Robotic technology offers technical advantages that might offer new solutions for hip arthroscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hip arthroscopies were performed in human cadavers using the da Vinci surgical system. During both surgeries, a robotic camera and 5 or 8 mm da Vinci trocars with instruments were inserted into the hip joint for manipulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Introduction of cameras and working instruments, docking of the robotic system and instrument manipulation was successful in both cases. The long articulating area of 5 mm instruments limited movements inside the joint; an 8 mm instrument with a shorter area of articulation offered an improved range of motion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hip arthroscopy using the da Vinci standard system appears a feasible alternative to standard arthroscopy. Instruments and method of application must be modified and improved before routine clinical application but further research in this area seems justified, considering the clinical value of such an approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, General Hospital Muensterlingen, Switzerland. jens.kather@stgag.ch
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kather
authors.forename: Monika E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morel
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fasel
authors.forename: Sheraz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Markar
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schueler
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D012775:Shoes