A Retrospective Study of 62 Patients With Single-Level Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy and Outcomes From Posterior Cervical Endoscopic Surgery With and Without Robotic Guidance

Background:Conventional C-arm fluoroscopy-guided puncture positioning for posterior cervical endoscopic surgery is highly surgeon-dependent, often requiring repeated adjustments and causing excessive radiation exposure.Robot-assisted positioning can address these limitations.This single-center retrospective study of 62 patients with single-level cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) compared outcomes of posterior cervical endoscopic surgery with versus without robotic guidance. Material/Methods:We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 62 patients who underwent posterior cervical endoscopic surgery between January 2023 and July 2025.Patients were assigned to a robot-assisted group (n = 30, using robotic assistance with C-arm fluoroscopy) or a conventional group (n = 32, using C-arm fluoroscopy alone).Perioperative indicators (operative duration, working-channel establishment time, V-point exposure time, fluoroscopy sessions), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, Neck Disability Index (NDI), disc height, cervical curvature, and complications were compared between the 2 groups. Results:Compared with the conventional group, the robot-assisted group had significantly shorter operative duration (mean difference [MD]: 12.67 min, 95% CI: 0.12 to 25.22, P = 0.048), working-channel establishment time (MD: 2.64 min, 95% CI: 1.62 to 3.65, P < 0.001), V-point exposure time (MD: 2.18 min, 95% CI: 1.54 to 2.81, P < 0.001), and fewer fluoroscopic sessions (MD: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.17 to 3.36, P < 0.001).Both groups showed significant postoperative improvements in VAS and NDI scores (all P < 0.05).Complication rates were comparable between the 2 groups (conventional: 3.13% vs robot-assisted: 3.33%; P > 0.05). Conclusions:Robot-assisted puncture localization for posterior cervical endoscopic surgery in single-level CSR can shorten the operative workflow, reduce fluoroscopic radiation exposure, and yield comparable short-term clinical outcomes.