Initial experience in the treatment of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease using a universal vascular interventional surgery robotic system

Background: This study aims to report the treatment process and results of the first officially published robotic peripheral vascular interventional surgery for lower extremity arterial occlusion in China. After a literature search, no domestic or foreign research reports have been found that share the same research content and innovation points. Methods: A 77-year-old female patient with intermittent claudication received drug balloon dilatation using a universal vascular interventional surgery robotic system on June 17, 2023, at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). Results: With the help of the vascular interventional robot, the operation successfully re-opened the patient's nearly occluded blood vessel, and the patient's discomfort symptoms were relieved. The total operation lasted 60 ​min, which time was similar to surgeries without robots. The postoperative hospital stay was 2 days. Conclusion: This case has preliminarily verified the effectiveness and safety of vascular interventional robotic surgery. The initial study fills in the gaps in related fields and lays a solid foundation for the future development of universal vascular interventional robots. Larger scale trials and more clinical trials are needed to test and support the clinical application of universal vascular interventional robots.