Biopsies vertébrales assistées par robot dans les spondylodiscites infectieuses

The use of a vertebral biopsy remains very frequently relevant in the management of patients with infectious spondylodiscitis without identified germs or vertebral metastases without identified primary cancer in order to obtain bacteriological and/or histological proof of the disease. There are few Rheumatology departments which remain completely independent in carrying out these vertebral biopsies. We describe here a technique of spinal biopsies under robotic assistance. This aims to be more precise than current techniques, more comfortable for the patient, and to reduce the average length of stay of patients hospitalized in rheumatology. The biopsy is performed in the operating room by a rheumatologist/neurosurgeon duo guided by a robot. The precision of the biopsy is based on the acquisition of three-dimensional spinal anatomy by a plane sensor scanner coupled to the robot. This technique of vertebral biopsies is easily acquired and allows the rheumatologist to be independent from the first consultation to the aetiological diagnosis, then to the treatment of infectious spondylodiscitis. This technique is however dependent on the availability of an equipped operating theater.