Using a Robotic-Assisted Approach for Stereotactic Laser Ablation Corpus Callosotomy: A Technical Report

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Corpus callosotomy for medically intractable epilepsy is an effective ablative procedure traditionally achieved using either standard open craniotomy or with less-invasive approaches. Advances in robotic-assisted stereotactic guidance for neurosurgery can be applied for LITT for corpus callosotomy. <b><i>Clinical Presentations:</i></b> Two patients were included in this study. One was a 25-year-old female patient with extensive bi-hemispheric malformations of cortical development and medically refractory epilepsy, and the other was an 18-year-old male with medically refractory epilepsy and atonic seizures, who underwent a complete corpus callosotomy using robotic-assisted stereotactic guidance for LITT. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Both patients underwent successful intended corpus callosotomy with volumetric analysis demonstrating a length disconnection of 74% and a volume disconnection of 55% for patient 1 and a length disconnection of 83% and a volume disconnection of 33% for patient 2. Postoperatively, both patients had clinical reductions in seizure. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our experience demonstrates that robotic guidance systems can safely and effectively be adapted for minimally invasive LITT corpus callosotomy.