Advanced Technologies for Outpatient Lumbar Fusion: Barriers and Opportunities

Ahilan Sivaganesan; Choll Kim; Ram Kiran Alluri; Avani S. Vaishnav; Sheeraz Qureshi

doi:10.14444/8275

Abstract

Background In recent years, there has been increasing interest in outpatient spine surgery. Minimally invasive techniques have created an opportunity for ambulatory lumbar fusion, and these techniques increasingly involve advanced technologies such as navigation and robotics.

Objective To explore the barriers, advantages, and future predictions for such technology in the context of outpatient lumbar fusions.

Methods This is a narrative review of studies examining the advantages, limitations, and cost-effectiveness of navigation and spinal robotics in conjunction with the outcomes and costs of outpatient lumbar fusion.

Results Outpatient lumbar fusion is a growing trend with ample evidence of its safety, favorable patient outcomes, and cost savings. Navigation and spinal robotics are associated with improved instrumentation accuracy and fewer complications, and the long-term cost savings can make these technologies financially practical in the outpatient setting. Future capabilities with robotics will only increase their value.

Conclusions Advanced technologies such as navigation and robotics are strategic long-term investments in the context of outpatient lumbar fusion.

Clinical Relevance The favorable outcomes and costs associated with navigation and robotics will be relevant to any spine surgeon interested in developing an outpatient lumbar fusion program.

Level of Evidence 5.

Footnotes

Funding The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
Disclosures Choll Kim – Elliquence, Globus medical, Lumenis. Sheeraz Qureshi – Consulting: Globus Medical, Inc., Paradigm Spine (Past relationship), Stryker K2M; Other: Simplify Medical, Inc. (Clinical Events Committee Member); Private Investments: Tissue Differentiation Intelligence, Vital 5 (Past relationship); Royalties: Globus Medical, Inc. , Stryker K2M; Scientific Advisory Board: Healthgrades (Past relationship), Lifelink.Com Inc., Spinal Simplicity, LLC; Speaking and/or Teaching Arrangements: Amopportunities (Honoraria), Globus Medical, Inc. (Speakers' Bureau), RTI Surgical Inc.; Trips/Travel: Globus Medical, Inc., Integrity Implants Inc, Medical Device Business Services, Medtronic USA, Inc., Nuvasive, Inc., Paradigm Spine, Stryker K2M. Board of Directors: Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery; Editorial Board Member: Annals of Translational Medicine, Contemporary Spine Surgery; Committee Member: Association of Bone And Joint Surgeons, Cervical Spine Research Society, International Society For the Advancement of Spine Surgery, Lumbar Spine Research Society, North American Spine Society, Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery; Board Member: Minimally Invasive Spine Study Group, Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.

This manuscript is generously published free of charge by ISASS, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. Copyright © 2022 ISASS. To see more or order reprints or permissions, see http://ijssurgery.com.

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