Overview of robotic brain surgery

Abstract Background and objective Robotic brain surgery represents a natural evolution of neuroimaging and stereotactic technology. The term “robot” derives from the Czech word robata , meaning drudgery, symbolizing machines that assist and augment human actions, particularly in precision-demanding surgical fields like neurosurgery. Patients and methods A comprehensive literature review was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Medline, ResearchGate, and CrossRef. Keywords included “robotic brain surgery,” “computer-assisted neurosurgery,” and “image-guided neurosurgery.” A total of 50 studies were screened, with 31 full-text articles reviewed in-depth. Results Robotic systems in neurosurgery have significantly advanced over the past three decades. Their clinical workflows have enhanced surgical accuracy, minimized human error, and expanded the feasibility of minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures. Various robotic systems such as NeuroMate, CyberKnife, ROSA, and NeuroArm have demonstrated clinical efficacy in biopsies, deep brain stimulation (DBS), SEEG, and tumor excision. Conclusion Robotic neurosurgery is a multidisciplinary frontier that blends engineering innovation with surgical precision. Further advancements hinge on continued collaboration between neurosurgeons and engineers, improving both safety and efficacy across neurosurgical applications.