Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41704267›Full record

ArticleInnovative surgical sciences2026

The application of robot-assisted microsurgery in orthoplastic surgery.

Felix Struebing, Benjamin Thomas, Emre Gazyakan, Florian Falkner, Simon Mayer, Charlotte Holup, Arne Boecker, Ulrich Kneser

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Innovative surgical sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Felix StruebingBG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Department of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center at Heidelberg University, Ludwigshafen, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1467-9224
Benjamin ThomasBG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Department of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center at Heidelberg University, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Emre GazyakanBG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Department of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center at Heidelberg University, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Florian FalknerBG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Department of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center at Heidelberg University, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Simon MayerBG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Department of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center at Heidelberg University, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Charlotte HolupBG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Department of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center at Heidelberg University, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Arne BoeckerBG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Department of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center at Heidelberg University, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Ulrich KneserBG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Department of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center at Heidelberg University, Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objectives: The orthoplastic approach has emerged as the gold standard in the reconstruction of complex extremity injuries. While robot-assisted microsurgery (RAMS) enhances precision and ergonomics, its role in the challenging orthoplastic setting remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate our initial institutional experience with robot-assisted free flap reconstruction for complex limb injuries within an orthoplastic approach. Methods: From February 2023 to February 2025, we prospectively collected data on patients with combined traumatic bone and soft tissue injuries undergoing robot-assisted free flap transfer to the extremities. Data included patient demographics, surgical details (e.g., operating times, anastomosis/coaptation duration), and complications. Ethical approval was obtained. Results: Our cohort of 18 patients (78 % male, mean age 50.3 years) received free flaps for traumatic soft tissue defects (78 % lower extremity). The ALT flap was most commonly used (67 %). Mean operating time was 353.0 min. 19 anastomoses and coaptations were performed, with no conversions to conventional techniques. A major complication (arterial thrombosis) occurred in one case, successfully salvaged with conventional re-anastomosis, resulting in no complete flap losses. There was one partial flap loss. Three minor complications (delayed wound healing, 17 %) were observed. Conclusions: Our experience shows the feasibility of RAMS in orthoplastic limb reconstruction. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and define the optimal role and benefits of RAMS in orthoplastic surgery.

Indexed as

microvascular reconstructionorthoplastic surgeryreconstructive microsurgeryrobot-assisted microsrgueryrobotic microsurgery

Identifiers

PMID41704267
PMCPMC12908978

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.