Assessment of Robot-Assisted Mandibular Contouring Surgery in Comparison With Traditional Surgery: A Prospective, Single-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background Few clinical studies on robot-assisted surgery (RAS) for mandibular contouring have been reported. Objectives The aim of this study was to follow the long-term effectiveness and safety of RAS for craniofacial bone surgery. Methods This small-sample, early-phase, prospective, randomized controlled study included patients diagnosed with mandibular deformity requiring mandibular contouring surgery. Patients of both genders aged 18 to 30 years without complicated craniofacial repair defects were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio by a permuted-block randomized assignments list generated by the study statistician. The primary outcomes were the positioning accuracy and accuracy of the osteotomy plane angle 1 week after surgery. Surgical auxiliary measurement index, patient satisfaction scale, surgical pain scale, perioperative period, and complications at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after surgery were also analyzed. Results One patient was lost to follow-up, resulting in a total of 14 patients in the traditional surgery group and 15 in the robot-assisted group (mean [standard deviation] age, 22.65 [3.60] years). Among the primary outcomes, there was a significant difference in the positioning accuracy (2.91 mm vs 1.65 mm; P < 0.01) and angle accuracy (13.26º vs 4.85º; P < 0.01) between the 2 groups. Secondary outcomes did not significantly differ. Conclusions Compared to traditional surgery, robot-assisted mandibular contouring surgery showed improved precision in bone shaving, as well as higher safety. Level of Evidence: 2