Cadaveric feasibility study of da Vinci Si-assisted cochlear implant with augmented visual navigation for otologic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To our knowledge, this is the first reported cadaveric feasibility study of a master-slave-assisted cochlear implant procedure in the otolaryngology-head and neck surgery field using the da Vinci Si system (da Vinci Surgical System; Intuitive Surgical, Inc). We describe the surgical workflow adaptations using a minimally invasive system and image guidance integrating intraoperative cone beam computed tomography through augmented reality.


OBJECTIVE
To test the feasibility of da Vinci Si-assisted cochlear implant surgery with augmented reality, with visualization of critical structures and facilitation with precise cochleostomy for electrode insertion.


METHODS
Cadaveric case study of bilateral cochlear implant approaches conducted at Intuitive Surgical Inc, Sunnyvale, California.


METHODS
Bilateral cadaveric mastoidectomies, posterior tympanostomies, and cochleostomies were performed using the da Vinci Si system on a single adult human donor cadaveric specimen.


METHODS
Radiographic confirmation of successful cochleostomies, placement of a phantom cochlear implant wire, and visual confirmation of critical anatomic structures (facial nerve, cochlea, and round window) in augmented stereoendoscopy.


RESULTS
With a surgical mean time of 160 minutes per side, complete bilateral cochlear implant procedures were successfully performed with no violation of critical structures, notably the facial nerve, chorda tympani, sigmoid sinus, dura, or ossicles. Augmented reality image overlay of the facial nerve, round window position, and basal turn of the cochlea was precise. Postoperative cone beam computed tomography scans confirmed successful placement of the phantom implant electrode array into the basal turn of the cochlea.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first study in the otolaryngology-head and neck surgery literature examining the use of master-slave-assisted cochleostomy with augmented reality for cochlear implants using the da Vinci Si system. The described system for cochleostomy has the potential to improve the surgeon's confidence, as well as surgical safety, efficiency, and precision by filtering tremor. The integration of augmented reality may be valuable for surgeons dealing with complex cases of congenital anatomic abnormality, for revision cochlear implant with distorted anatomy and poorly pneumatized mastoids, and as a method of interactive teaching. Further research into the cost-benefit ratio of da Vinci Si-assisted otologic surgery, as well as refinements of the proposed workflow, are required before considering clinical studies.
Department of Computer Science, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland2Intuitive Surgical, Inc, Sunnyvale, California.
Wen P
WP
Liu
Intuitive Surgical, Inc, Sunnyvale, California.
Mahdi
M
Azizian
Intuitive Surgical, Inc, Sunnyvale, California.
Jonathan
J
Sorger
Department of Computer Science, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
Russell H
RH
Taylor
Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC4Pediatric Hearing and Otological Research Center, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Children's National Medical Center.
Brian K
BK
Reilly
Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC5Department of Surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC6Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University Scho.
Kevin
K
Cleary
Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC4Pediatric Hearing and Otological Research Center, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Children's National Medical Center.
Diego
D
Preciado
D002102:Cadaver; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery