Patients who underwent robotic-assisted minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery used 16% less opioid medication during hospitalization than those who underwent navigation-guided procedures, according to research presented by New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery.
The study included 804 patients who underwent one- or two-level lumbar fusion procedures between 2017 and 2025, according to an Oct. 15 news release. Researchers compared 601 patients who underwent robotic-assisted surgery with 203 patients who underwent navigation-guided procedures.
Patients in the robotic-assisted group had a 21% reduction in opioid use during the first 24 hours after surgery and a 57% reduction in the likelihood of requiring intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. Researchers found no significant differences in complications or hospital length of stay between the groups.
The findings were presented at the North American Spine Society Annual Meeting. Researchers used a prospectively maintained spine surgery registry and accounted for differences in patient characteristics, surgeons and other factors.
The study was co-authored by Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, co-chief of HSS Spine, and Kyle Morse, MD, a spine surgeon at HSS.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
