Background: Over the last decades conventional cochlear implant (CI) surgery has remained essentially unchanged. Nevertheless, alternative implantation techniques to further improve patient outcomes such as endaural implantation or robot-assisted surgery have been proposed in recent years. However, none of these have gained acceptance in clinical routine, thus confirming a demand for new developments.
Methods: Cochlear implant surgery was performed in two mastoid bones obtained from body donors using a novel hands-free exoscope. Advantages and disadvantages of the system were evaluated.
Results: In all cases, implantation of the electrode was feasible. The system allowed for hands-free movement and adjustment of the exoscope by the head-mounted display. Network connectivity of the system leaves room for improvement.
Conclusion: The RoboticScope is an innovative tool and can be used supportively in conventional CI surgery in the experimental setting. Although operating the device requires a certain learning curve, the usability is intuitive for every ear surgeon.
Keywords: ENT; cochlear; computer-assisted surgery; head and neck; imaged guided surgery.
© 2021 The Authors. The International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.