Advancements in robotic assisted microsurgery: Exploring the MUSA robot in reconstructive microsurgical and supermicrosurgical procedures
Research article published in JPRAS open (2026)
Abstract
Robotic assistance in microsurgery offers increased precision, tremor elimination, motion scaling, and improved ergonomics. Although robots are widely used in other surgical fields, their integration into reconstructive microsurgery has been limited. The MUSA robot is the first robot specifically designed for microsurgery to address this unmet need. This report presents a comprehensive overview of the clinical indications and experiences with the MUSA2 robot at our center, including lymphatico-venous anastomosis, free flap breast reconstruction, free flaps reconstruction of the lower extremity, digital nerve repair, and finger replantation. Robotic assistance has great potential for its use in microsurgery. Challenges such as higher cost and setup times could be addressed by the evolution of the systems. Due to its compatibility with standard instrumentation and short learning curve the MUSA robot has promising initial results. This stimulates further research into robotic assistance as a tool in complex microsurgical procedures.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Peer-reviewed clinical and outcomes research relevant to medicinal leech therapy and its biology. Indexed in PubMed and verified against the NCBI record.
Citation
Reference (Vancouver style)
Bettens H, Timmerman R, Qiu SS, van der Hulst R, van Mulken T. Advancements in robotic assisted microsurgery: Exploring the MUSA robot in reconstructive microsurgical and supermicrosurgical procedures. JPRAS Open. 2026;48:386-396. doi:10.1016/j.jpra.2025.11.033. PMID: 41536355
Bibliographic details (authors, volume, pages, DOI) are taken from the PubMed record.
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