Where are all the neurosurgery robots?

Authors

Dillan Prasad, Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. dillan@northwestern.edu.
Benjamin E. Weiss, Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Laura A. Snyder, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Paul M. Arnold, Department of Neurological Surgery, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA.
Joshua M. Rosenow, Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Despite substantial advances in engineering, robotics, and artificial intelligence, autonomous robots have yet to revolutionize neurosurgery. In this perspective, we examine why neurosurgical robotics lag behind, analyzing economic, regulatory, liability, and cultural hurdles limiting their adoption. Drawing on our collective experience using robotics across different neurosurgical subspecialties, we advocate for cautious optimism-embracing thoughtful integration of robotics to enhance, not replace, the neurosurgeon's critical judgment.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Robotic Surgical Procedures (economics, trends, methods, instrumentation); Neurosurgical Procedures (methods, trends, economics, instrumentation); Artificial Intelligence; Neurosurgery (trends, methods); Robotics (economics)

Publication Date

6-4-2025

Publication Title

Journal of robotic surgery

E-ISSN

1863-2491

Volume

19

Issue

1

First Page

267

PubMed ID

40468034

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1007/s11701-025-02435-w

Recommended Citation

Prasad, Dillan; Weiss, Benjamin E.; Snyder, Laura A.; Arnold, Paul M.; and Rosenow, Joshua M., "Where are all the neurosurgery robots?" (2025). Neurosurgery. 2308.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurosurgery/2308