MIS ReFRESH: Robotic vs. Freehand Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgeries

Multi-center, Partially Randomized, Controlled Trial of MIS Robotic vs. Freehand in Short Adult Degenerative Spinal Fusion Surgeries

To quantify potential short- and long-term benefits of robotically-guided minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) for adult patients with lower back degeneration, in comparison a matching group of control patients operated in a minimally invasive approach whether freehand or with image guidance or navigation techniques.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adult patients (age over 21 years), undergoing short (4 or less consecutive vertebrae) lumbar or lumbosacral percutaneous/MIS spinal fixation surgery.
2. May include surgeries involving iliac screws, although these screws will not be included in the data analysis.
3. Primary fusion surgery
4. Patient capable of complying with study requirements
5. Signed informed consent by patient

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy
2. Revision surgery (prior laminectomy or discectomy is not excluded).
3. Infection or malignancy
4. Primary abnormalities of bones (e.g. osteogenesis imperfecta)
5. Primary muscle diseases, such as muscular dystrophy
6. Neurologic diseases (e.g. Charcot-Marie Tooth, Guillain-Barre syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida or neurofibroma)
7. Spinal cord abnormalities with any neurologic symptoms or signs
8. Spinal cord lesions requiring neurosurgical interventions, such as hydromyelia
9. Paraplegia
10. Patients who have participated in a research study involving an investigational product in the 12 weeks prior to surgery
11. Patients requiring anterior release or instrumentation
12. Any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participants at risk because of participation in the study, or may influence the result of the study.
13. Patient cannot follow study protocol, for any reason
14. Patient cannot or will not sign informed consent